Tag: Blue Plaques

The Start of Jaguar Cars in Blackpool

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Sir William Lyons was a pivotal figure in the British automotive industry and co-founder of the Jaguar car company. He was born on 4 September 1901 in Blackpool and attended Arnold School. From there he obtained an engineering apprenticeship at Crossley Motors in Manchester, where he also studied at the technical school. Lyons played a crucial role in shaping the design and engineering of some of the 20th century’s most iconic cars. He began his career by co-founding the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922 with William Walmsley. Their first factory, located at No. 5 Bloomfield Road, was home to the Swallow Sidecar… Read more »

Fleetwood North Euston Hotel

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The North Euston Hotel, situated in Fleetwood, Lancashire, was constructed between 1840 and 1841, with the architectural design provided by Decimus Burton. Initially intended as a hotel, the building served a different purpose for much of the late 19th century when it was requisitioned by the War Department and used as a School of Musketry. By the turn of the century, the hotel resumed its original function. In 1950, it was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage, recognising its national importance and distinctive architectural merit. Fleetwood itself was a planned town, conceived in the 19th century by… Read more »

Fleetwood’s Pharos (Upper) Lighthouse

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The Pharos Lighthouse (also known as the Upper Lighthouse) is a historic and iconic structure located in Fleetwood, Lancashire, England. Standing at a height of 93 feet (28 meters), it is built from Runcorn red sandstone and was designed by the renowned architect Decimus Burton in 1839, with assistance from Captain H.M. Denham. Burton had been commissioned by Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood to design the new town of Fleetwood, and the lighthouse was one of the key elements of the town’s maritime infrastructure. Construction was completed in 1840, and it has since become one of Fleetwood’s most recognisable landmarks. Unusually… Read more »

Fleetwood Museum

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Fleetwood Museum is a community-run museum managed by the Fleetwood Museum Trust, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It is unique in that its funding primarily comes from the local community through Fleetwood Town Council, a third-tier local authority. This distinctive funding model makes Fleetwood Museum possibly the only museum in the country supported in this way. The Trust assumed responsibility for operating the museum buildings and managing its collection on behalf of Lancashire County Council from 1st April 2018. The museum’s primary purpose is to collect, preserve, interpret, and share the rich history of Fleetwood, with a vision to educate,… Read more »

Blackpool Town Hall

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The current Blackpool Town Hall was built to replace an earlier 18th-century structure, which had been located just south of its present site, near the old St John’s Market. Designed by Potts, Son, and Hennings in a Jacobean style, the new building was completed in 1900 and stands on Talbot Square. The façade features a balanced design with seven bays, the outermost ones curving gracefully around the sides. At the centre is a prominent five-stage clock tower, with the ground floor portico supported by Tuscan-style pilasters, while the first floor is distinguished by Ionic columns, a segmental pediment, and a… Read more »

Central Pier

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Central Pier is one of the three piers in Blackpool, England, and it was built in 1868. It is called “Central” because it is situated between the other two piers, and it was near the old Blackpool Central railway station, about 550 yards south of Blackpool Tower. The pier extends straight out from the flat coastline, running perpendicular to the sea front and level with the promenade. The success of the North Pier led to the creation of Central Pier, with the Blackpool South Jetty Company being set up in 1864. They hired the same builder, Richard Laidlaw and Son… Read more »

Blackpool North Train Station

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The station in its current form opened in 1974, replacing an earlier station located a few hundred yards away on Talbot Road, which had first opened in 1846 and was rebuilt in 1898. The present station incorporates the 1938 concrete canopy that once covered the entrance to the excursion platforms of the former station. Blackpool North was part of the InterCity network until 2003, when Virgin Trains withdrew HST and Voyager services to London Euston and Birmingham. Services from Blackpool to London Euston, previously operated by the local franchise holder First North Western, were subsequently discontinued. Blackpool’s other station, Blackpool… Read more »

Blackpool Council

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The Municipal Building The site on Corporation Street, FY1 1LY, previously occupied by Boots the Chemist, became an extension to the Town Hall in 1977. This building is primarily used for Blackpool Council offices and the DWP Job Centre Plus. It also serves as a customer service point with facilities like interview desks, computer access, and phone terminals. It houses various council departments and staff, handling a wide range of services for residents, such as bin collections, council tax, and more. This is also where job seekers can access support and services related to employment and benefits. The New Office… Read more »

Blackpool War Memorial and Cenotaph

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The Blackpool War Memorial and Cenotaph, erected in 1923, stands as a poignant tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in conflicts, particularly World War I and World War II. Located in a prominent position on Blackpool Promenade, within the Town Centre Conservation Area, this imposing monument is both a symbol of remembrance and a central feature of Blackpool’s historical landscape. Crafted from durable stone, the cenotaph’s design reflects the gravitas and respect typical of war memorials from its era. It features classical architectural elements that evoke a sense of solemnity, with inscriptions and symbolic elements such as wreaths and… Read more »

Metropole Hotel

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The Metropole Hotel, a striking red-brick building at the northern end of Blackpool’s promenade, began construction in 1776 and officially opened on 14 June 1785. With its beautifully updated Victorian façade and modern amenities, the hotel offers an ideal seaside retreat, featuring breathtaking views across the Irish Sea that set it apart from many other accommodations. Amidst the town’s numerous lodging options, the Metropole Hotel stands out for its exceptional seaside location and competitively priced rooms. As shown in the blue plaque image below, the building wasn’t always called the Metropole. The hotel boasts 223 traditional bedrooms, each equipped with… Read more »