Tag: Landmarks

Music Hall Tavern Becomes Apartment Block

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The building, originally a British Gas showroom and now a block of apartments, boasts a fascinating history. Aside from being the second version of the Music Hall Tavern, the other being at Yates Wine Lodge, the site also became home to the Joe Longthorne Theatre. The site underwent major redevelopment in 2018 and has since been completely renovated to provide 10 high-quality apartments. Four of these apartments offer stunning views of Blackpool Tower, the sea, and the distant fells. The block includes eight two-bedroom apartments, one 2.5-bedroom apartment, and a single one-bedroom apartment. All the apartments are equipped with brand… Read more »

Central Picture Theatre, King Edward VII Pub & Picture House and Tudor Bingo

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Constructed in 1913 by Magee, Marshall & Co Ltd, this Edwardian pub originally opened as the Central Picture Theatre on 11th July 1913. It was rebranded as the King Edward Picture Palace in 1914. When the King Edward Cinema opened its doors in July 1913, it was first known as the Central Picture Theatre—a name that remains visible in cream terracotta on the grand, curved gable that rises above Central Drive, at the junction with Read’s Avenue. This was in the early days of silent cinema, and from the outset, the King Edward sought to establish itself as ‘the finest… Read more »

Blackpool Set to Open its First Wendy’s Restaurant

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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 »

Edwin Hughes, Last Survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade

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Edwin Hughes, born on 12 December 1830, was a British Army soldier known as “Balaclava Ned.” He was the last surviving member of the famous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War (1854–56). Hughes married Hannah, who passed away in 1899, and they had two sons and two daughters. One of his daughters remained unmarried, and in 1910, Hughes moved to Blackpool to live with her. He was an active member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society, attending reunions of the Light Brigade survivors in 1895, 1910, 1912, and 1913. Hughes received a pension from the T. H. Roberts… Read more »

Fourth Generation Commercial Pilot in Westoby Family

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Prior to WWII, Westair had been involved in aviation since the 1930s when it was started by Walter “Wally” Westoby pictured below. Wally started his career as an engineer on lifts for coal mines. Later he would start out as mechanic on aircraft before becoming a pilot himself. At the time he was flying out of an aerodrome based at Blackpool’s Stanley Park. Some of the aircraft hangars still exist at the Zoo as part of the elephant enclosure. During the Second World War Wally was sent to Canada, teaching Navigation for the RAF. There he flew Avro Ansons like… Read more »

Heritage North West Takes Over the Clifton Family Home

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Evleyn Waugh declared the Cliftons as “all tearing mad” when he visited Lytham Hall in the 1930s. The last Squire Clifton, Harry, managed to squander the family fortunes and bring to an end several centuries of Clifton family dominance for Lytham and St Annes in Lancashire. Harry’s reckless and eccentric behaviour, not to mention his wild schemes and obsession with the occult, left very little of his families vast estates in Lancashire and Scotland. His father, John Talbot Clifton, had lost in his lifetime the family’s estates in Ireland after it became independent from the British Crown at the end… Read more »

Savoy Garage – Blackpool’s Oldest

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The Savoy Garage was first built in 1914 with its purpose being to serve the nearby Savoy Hotel. Very little has been altered to this day, still remaining in use as a service garage. So significant is its history, it has been awarded a Grade II listing. The reasons for that designation are as follows: Architectural interest Externally it possesses a strong level of architectural treatment, including a striking terracotta-clad front elevation incorporating a shaped gable, decorative pilaster strips and paired, arched openings with raised voussoirs * Date: It is a 2-storey, former hotel garage that dates to the earliest… Read more »

Catterall & Swarbrick’s Brewery on Talbot Road Closes

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Catterall & Swarbrick Brewery was established in Poulton-le-Fylde in 1871 and officially registered in July 1894. The brewery in Blackpool was constructed in 1927. It was acquired by Northern Breweries of Great Britain Ltd in 1961, along with 104 public houses. Over its years of operation, it provided beverages to off-licenses, pubs, clubs, restaurants, and more, throughout the Fylde coast and beyond. However, the Blackpool site was closed in 1971 and later redeveloped for housing. In addition to the Poulton site, the brewery also acquired the Newton Springs Brewery. In November 1927, a new brewery was opened at the corner… Read more »

Devonshire Road School Reopens After Demolition

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Devonshire Primary School and Devonshire Road Junior School was renamed in 2013 to Devonshire Primary Academy. Devonshire Primary Academy is a coeducational primary school with academy status, located in the Layton area of Blackpool. This school is on Devonshire Road halfway between the residential area of Layton, and Blackpool town centre. Devonshire Road Junior School The original school on the site, Devonshire Road Junior School was built in the 19th century. On 23 August 2003 the school suffered an arson attack causing £7m worth of damage. Over fifty firefighters fought the blaze which caused extensive damage to the school building…. Read more »

Baines Endowed Primary School in Marton is Established

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Baines Endowed Primary School in Marton was founded through the will of James Baines in 1717. It was one of three schools set up in Baines’ will, the others being at Poulton-Le-Fylde and Thornton, teaching around 100 pupils without charging fees. Baines will also provided payments to the poor of the area and apprenticeships. Baines can claim that three of its students appear on Blackpool Timeline – Joe-Warren Plant, Susan Varley and Gerry Wolstenholme. As a Church of England primary school, the school has very close links with their local church, St. Paul’s, Marton. Pupils will have the opportunity throughout… Read more »