Tag: Hospitality

Opening of £5 Million Club 3000 Bingo

On Saturday, 1 July 2023, Club 3000 Bingo officially opened its latest venue at Festival Leisure Park in Blackpool, marking a significant milestone as the company’s 24th club across the UK. This new venue represents a £5 million investment, transforming the former Swift Hound Pub site into a modern, state-of-the-art bingo hall designed to offer an exceptional experience for both regular players and newcomers alike. The grand opening was a spectacular affair, drawing over 800 guests who enjoyed an evening filled with entertainment and celebration. Highlights included a captivating magic show by Craig Harper, as well as special appearances from… Read more »

Blackpool Set to Open its First Wendy’s Restaurant

After pulling out of the UK in 2000, Wendy’s are back! In October 2019, Wendy’s announced it was returning to the UK market, which it had served from 1980 to 1986, then again from 1992 to 2000. The first of 20 planned restaurants was due to open in 2020 in Stoke-on-Trent, but it was later announced that the first location would be Reading, Berkshire. The Blackpool site is set to open this spring or summer on the former Viva Vegas Diner’s site, close to the Tower. Wendy’s are all about serving up fresh food, even if it means going the… Read more »

Sugarvine Launches its Online Services to the Hospitality Trade

Sugarvine Limited is a company specialising in services for the hospitality industry. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Blackpool, the company operates several platforms designed to support restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes. One of its main platforms is Sugarvine.com, a comprehensive dining guide that helps users discover and book restaurants across the UK. The platform provides dining offers, event listings, and inspiration for eating out, making it a go-to resource for food lovers and hospitality businesses alike. To support restaurant operations, Sugarvine offers Sugarvinetables.com, an online table booking and management system that allows real-time reservations, table tracking, and an integrated… Read more »

Major Upgrade to the Ruskin Hotel

In 2017, Tony Banks of Blackpool Promotions became the new owner of the Ruskin Hotel on Albert Road, a long-established 71-bedroom hotel that had been a staple of Blackpool’s hospitality scene for over 80 years. The Ruskin, which had been owned by the same family for decades, was sold as the owners decided to retire. Banks, who already owned four other hotels in the area, including The Royal Carlton, The Royal Seabank, The Boston, and Southbank, announced plans for a £500,000 investment to breathe new life into the hotel. His vision included the addition of spa facilities, which he hoped… Read more »

Ribby Hall Village & Spa Hotel

Twenty-five years ago, the Harrison family began developing what has since become one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. In the mid-1990s, they acquired a partly developed, dilapidated caravan site in Wrea Green, Lancashire. At the time, the 100-acre plot contained a few rundown caravans and some old cowsheds, but its potential was undeniable. Today, Ribby Hall Village, still under the ownership of the Harrison family, welcomes over a million visitors annually and has become a favourite for families, individuals, and businesses alike. The transformation of Ribby Hall Village began in 1994 with the construction of 175 cottages, 350… Read more »

The Cliffs Hotel

The Cliffs Hotel occupies a prominent position on Queen’s Promenade in the North Shore area of the town. Built in 1921, the hotel is an impressive example of Baroque-style architecture, featuring a striking combination of red brick and yellow terracotta. Its distinctive gables, adorned with horizontal stripes, add to its architectural charm. Currently owned by Choice Hotels Ltd, the Cliffs offers 160 bedrooms, maintaining its reputation as a significant destination for visitors. In 1936–37, architect Halstead Best undertook a major expansion of the hotel, including the addition of an underground car park. By this time, the property had grown to… Read more »

The Savoy Hotel

The Savoy Hotel, situated just north of Gynn Square, stands as a fine example of early 20th-century hospitality architecture. Constructed in 1915, this iconic establishment belongs to a series of grand red-brick and red-terracotta hotels built around the turn of the century. Designed by architect T. G. Lumb, the Savoy Hotel’s bold and sophisticated design not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also underscores the durability of its materials. In 1935, the hotel underwent a notable expansion with the addition of a sun lounge, crafted from Hathern’s cream faience. This enhancement, executed by T. G. Lumb in collaboration with architect… Read more »

The Imperial Hotel

The Imperial Hotel, originally part of the Puma Hotels Collection, is a distinguished 4-star establishment situated on the northern promenade. Established in 1867, this magnificent Victorian red-brick building was erected on the site of what was once Claremont Park before its conversion into a hotel. Over its long history, the hotel has seen multiple changes in ownership. It was managed by Barceló Hotels for many years before being taken over by The Hotel Collection in June 2014. In 2017, the hotel embarked on a new chapter when it was acquired by Singapore’s Fragrance Group for £12.8 million. Famed for its… Read more »

The Viking Hotel

The Viking Hotel in Blackpool, established in 1924, has been a significant fixture on the town’s South Shore for nearly a century. Built during a period of significant growth in Blackpool, the hotel was designed to meet the needs of an increasing number of tourists flocking to the seaside resort. From its early years, the Viking Hotel has been known for offering high-quality accommodations and a range of amenities. As Blackpool developed into a major destination for entertainment and leisure, the Viking Hotel played a key role by hosting various events and performances. Within the hotel, “The Talk of the… Read more »

Queens (Hydro) Hotel South Shore

The Queen’s Hotel, established in 1852, holds a prominent place as a historical landmark in South Shore, boasting a rich and diverse past. Initially constructed as a hotel, it provided accommodation and amenities to travellers, showcasing the spacious and refined architectural style characteristic of mid-19th-century establishments. By 1856, however, the Queen’s Hotel underwent a transformation, becoming the College Français, an educational institution designed to serve French-speaking students. This change from a commercial venture to an academic facility reflected the community’s increasing demand for specialised education. The College Français symbolised a pivotal era in which educational institutions adapted to cater to… Read more »