Tag: Events

James Hanratty, John Lennon and Stevonia Fish & Chips

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In October 1961, when James Hanratty became a prime suspect in the notorious A6 murder case, he went into hiding and attempted to deny his involvement by calling investigators and newspapers. On the night of 11 October, Hanratty travelled from Liverpool to Blackpool, a town he hoped might offer him some anonymity. At around 11:15 pm, he was enjoying a meal at the Stevonia Fish and Chips Restaurant, located on Central Drive. It was here that he had an unexpected encounter with Detective Constables James Williams and Albert Stillings, who had stopped by the restaurant for a cup of coffee…. Read more »

Mel B Switches on the Lights

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Mel B expressed how privileged she felt to be chosen to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations, a moment she described as especially meaningful due to her deep connection to the resort. The Spice Girls singer, who once lived in Blackpool as a teenager, recalled her early days as a 16-year-old dancer in the Mystique show at the Pleasure Beach. This experience marked her first professional job before she rose to global fame with the Spice Girls. Reflecting on her childhood, Mel B shared fond memories of her family visiting the Illuminations every year in their “clapped-out car,” sitting in traffic… Read more »

Yates’s Wine Lodge History and Fire

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In July 1861, the first-floor hall of the building was being promoted in the local press as soon to reopen as the New Theatre Royal. By August of that year, its manager, Watkins Young, had secured a theatrical licence, allowing performances to be staged during the summer months. The building itself boasted a long and intricate history, with its origins tracing back to 1868, when it first opened its doors as the Arcade and Assembly Rooms. In 1896, Yates Bros Ltd took over the property, converting the ground floor into Yate’s Wine Lodge, which remained in operation until the building’s… Read more »

James Cagney at the Winter Gardens

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James Cagney’s connection to Blackpool began in 1947, when he first visited the town for a charity event at the Winter Gardens. The event was part of a benefit for the local hospital, and as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time, Cagney’s appearance was a major event. It was his first visit to the UK, and his presence in Blackpool marked the start of a long-lasting connection between the actor and the country. Four decades later, in 1988, Cagney returned to Blackpool for another special event at the Winter Gardens, this time celebrating his illustrious career. This visit… Read more »

Cilla Black’s Blackpool

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Priscilla Maria Veronica White OBE (27 May 1943 – 1 August 2015), better known as Cilla Black, was a singer and television presenter. Championed by her friends the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her singles “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “You’re My World” both reached number one in the UK in 1964. She had 11 top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart between then and 1971 and an additional eight hits that made the top 40. During this period she had several bookings in Blackpool, some of which are detailed below. In May 2010,… Read more »

Tim Burton’s Illuminations and Filming in Blackpool

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Famous for iconic films such as Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Alice in Wonderland, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Buton filmed his then latest masterpiece – Miss Peregrine’s School for Peculiar Children on Blackpool’s seafront. It meant that the promenade had to be closed from Chapel street to Talbot Road on 8 May 2015. Actors Samuel L Jackson, Dame Judi Dench and Eva Green starred in this film, which came out the following year. In the featured image below, you can see where the fake snow starts and finishes on the Prom. To see Samuel L. Jackson talking about his… Read more »

Matt LaBlanc & Chris Evans Filming Top Gear in Blackpool

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On Matt LeBlanc’s first day filming for Top Gear in 2016, things didn’t exactly go to plan. The former Friends star was tasked with driving a Reliant Rialto, decorated in a bold stars-and-stripes design, when the car unexpectedly broke down on its way from Manchester to Blackpool. The vehicle faltered near a KFC in the Orbital Retail Park in Cannock, Staffordshire, forcing LeBlanc to make an unplanned pit stop. His Top Gear co-star, Chris Evans, wasn’t far behind, piloting his own Union Jack-themed Rialto, and he too was forced to halt as their journey took a more chaotic turn. Rather… Read more »

Hylda Baker’s Blackpool Chauffeur

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Hylda Baker, born in Farnworth, Lancashire, on 4 February 1905, was a renowned British actress, comedian, and singer, famous for her larger-than-life personality and memorable performances. Although originally from Farnworth, she made Cleveleys, on the Fylde coast, her home later in life, a place she cherished both as a residence and a stage for some of her most iconic performances. Her association with the Fylde coast ran deep, as she appeared in numerous shows and made the area a key part of her career. One of her most notable performances took place in the summer of 1956 when she starred… Read more »

Tour of Britain Cycle Race

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The Tour of Britain cycle race has long been a highlight of the British sporting calendar, drawing international and local talent to compete in a grueling test of endurance and speed. On 7 June 1964, the race made a memorable stop in Blackpool, a town synonymous with British seaside culture. Blackpool in the 1960s was a thriving hub of entertainment, tourism, and community spirit, and the town’s iconic landmarks, such as the Blackpool Tower and the bustling promenade, provided a dramatic backdrop to the race. Blackpool’s wide streets and the scenic coastal roads of Lancashire created a natural stage for… Read more »