Tag: Community

Nikki Hesford Appears on Dragon’s Den

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Nikki Hesford appeared Dragon’s Den in 2011, with her fast fashion brand that made clothing and lingerie for bigger busted women. Nikki was born in October 1985 in Rochdale, the daughter of former rugby star Steve Hesford, who used to play for Warrington Wolves, and niece of former Blackpool goalie Iain Hesford. She left Rochdale and moved to Lancaster where she set up a lingerie and clothes business called Miss Fit UK. She exited this business in 2015 and now runs The Small Business Academy, a support hub for the next generation of entrepreneurs to tap into trustworthy advice and… Read more »

Blackpool Town Centre Forum

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Blackpool Town Centre Forum originated from consultations and discussions between Blackpool Council, major and individual town centre retailers, Blackpool Police and various other stakeholders covering Blackpool town centre. Over a two year period, these initial consultations were headed by Robin Wood, the council’s Chief Officer for Executive Services. Chris Hurley, the then manager of Midland Bank, was to take on the Chairmanship of the Forum’s steering committee. The objective was to create a town centre management partnership to address the challenges facing the town centre in terms of retail and commercial decline, security, cleanliness and environmental issues, all highlighting the… Read more »

Blackpool BID

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In August 2005, under Nigel Hanson’s leadership and after extensive consultations with town centre businesses, organisations and other stakeholders, followed by a substantial vote in favour, Blackpool’s first Business Improvement District (BID) was created, covering the town centre. This was the first Business Improvement District created in the North West. The creation of the BID now meant that instead of the previous voluntary funding arrangement for the Town Centre Forum, all rateable businesses and organisations within the BID Boundary would now be obliged to pay an annual BID levy contribution, based on their rateable value. This would fund a five… Read more »

Blackpool Business Leaders Group

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The Blackpool Business Leadership Group (BBLG) was formed in 2006 with the goal of fostering collaboration between the private, public, and third sectors to support Blackpool’s economic growth and regeneration. Initially a small collective of business leaders, the group has expanded significantly and now includes around 250 leaders from across the Fylde Coast. Its core mission is to drive engagement from the business community in the town’s regeneration and to simplify and enhance business support systems. It also aims to involve the private sector in broader enterprise initiatives. Under the leadership of Martin Long, following the long-standing tenure of Philip… Read more »

The Anchorsholme Park Project

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Between 2015 and 2019, Anchorsholme Park underwent a significant transformation as engineers from United Utilities undertook an £80m project to improve local sewage treatment systems. At the outset, the park was a scene of intensive construction, with towering cranes, vast holes, and heaps of excavated earth. For many, it seemed almost inconceivable that the park would ever regain its charm. However, by the time the project concluded, Anchorsholme Park had not only returned to its former state but had been enhanced into a vital community asset. The project was monumental, involving the construction of a 30-metre-deep storm tank, the relocation… Read more »

Common Edge Community Sports Village

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In 2023, a state-of-the-art £6 million Community Sports Village opened at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, marking the completion of the first phase of the zone’s development. The Common Edge Community Sports Village is a flagship facility, boasting 14 new grass football pitches, a full-sized floodlit 3G football pitch, a floodlit rugby pitch with a dedicated training area, and a modern sports pavilion designed to support both athletes and the wider community. The pavilion features six spacious changing rooms, two officials’ rooms, two kitchens, and a large community room, offering a welcoming and practical space for teams and local residents alike…. Read more »

Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre

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Penny Farm, located near Blackpool, is one of the UK’s leading equine welfare centres. Officially opened in June 2001 by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the facility has since rescued, rehabilitated, and rehomed over 1,000 horses and ponies. Operated as part of an international charity, Penny Farm embodies a commitment to improving the welfare of horses while fostering a deeper understanding of the horse-human bond. Through its rehoming scheme, the farm not only provides a second chance for rescued animals but also engages communities in responsible horse ownership. The organisation behind Penny Farm operates with a mission to enhance… Read more »

Blackpool Civil Service Hub

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At the time of writing this post, the new Civil Service Hub in Blackpool had not yet been completed, but it had already reached its highest point, making it the tallest office building in the town. This £100 million, 215,000 sq ft development, located near Blackpool North train station on King Street, is being delivered by Blackpool Council in collaboration with nationwide developer Muse and contractor VINCI Construction. The hub is part of Blackpool’s £350 million Talbot Gateway redevelopment, which aims to bring over 8,000 professional workers and students to the town centre, helping to rejuvenate the area. The building… Read more »

Fleetwood Memorial Park

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Memorial Park in Fleetwood was established as a living tribute to the town’s World War I fallen. The Fleetwood Heroes’ Fund Committee, formed in 1918 by the Fleetwood Urban District Council (FUDC), fundraised and purchased the grounds from Fleetwood Estates Limited in 1921. Patrick Abercrombie, a pioneer of modern town planning and later renowned for his post-war work, designed the park as part of a broader civic plan. Combining Garden City principles with formal axes, radii, and vistas inspired by Decimus Burton, the park was envisioned as Fleetwood’s civic centre, featuring a war memorial aligned with its entrance. Initial features,… Read more »