Tag: Landmarks

Tower Fire False Alarm

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An unusual incident at Blackpool Tower on 28 December 2023 resulted in emergency services responding to what was initially thought to be a fire near the iconic structure’s viewing platform. However, the supposed flames turned out to be orange netting blowing in the wind, creating an illusion of fire. The situation escalated when images and videos shared on social media seemed to show flames at the top of the 158-meter-high tower. Lancashire Fire and Rescue, taking the reports seriously, dispatched six fire engines, a drone team, and climbing specialists to the scene. The police helicopter later clarified that no fire… Read more »

The Federation of Small Businesses

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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), originally founded as the National Federation of the Self-Employed (NFSE) in 1974, has its roots in Blackpool and a response to government tax changes. The organisation was created by Norman Small in Lytham St Annes as a direct reaction to the introduction of the Class 4 National Insurance contributions, which added extra taxes on the self-employed and small business owners. Small invited affected individuals to a meeting in his hometown, where he proposed the creation of an organisation to represent self-employed workers and sole traders. This meeting was the beginning of a movement that… Read more »

Chadwicks Timber Since 1896

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Chadwicks Timber has a rich history that is deeply intertwined with the development of Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast. Established in 1896, Chadwicks built its reputation over more than a century by providing high-quality materials and exceptional service to builders, tradespeople, and the local community. By 1956, the company had relocated to its iconic site on Mowbray Drive, where it became a cornerstone of Blackpool’s construction industry. Initially focused on timber, Chadwicks expanded over the decades into a multifaceted builders’ merchant with seven distinct departments. These included not only timber and sheet materials but also hardware, ironmongery, kitchens, bathrooms,… Read more »

3 Police Officers Die Trying to Save a Man and His Dog

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Some 40 years have gone by since three heroic Blackpool police officers gave the ultimate sacrifice while attempting to save a man and his dog from the choppy Irish Sea. On 5 January 1983, a Scottish holidaymaker had been walking along the Blackpool coast near Gynn Square. 25-year-old Alistair Anthony was with his terrier, Henry, along the prom. The next twelve hours would see Alistair and three officers lose their lives with a fourth hospitalised as they tried to retrieve the dog. To this day it remains the greatest loss of police life to Lancashire officers. It was January 5 when the... Read more »

The Fylde’s Forgotten Roller Coasters

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Aside from the Pleasure Beach, there were two more roller coasters, one in Blackpool at the Winter Gardens called the Les Montagnes Russes, and the other in Cleveleys called the Big Dipper. Records show that the Winter Gardens Company was registered on 7th August 1875. And by the end of 1876, many of the foundations and basements of the main buildings had been built along with an outdoor and indoor skating rink. The circular switchback railway, Les Montagnes Russes, was installed in 1902. The Cleveleys Big Dipper The Cleveleys roller coaster ride occupied the stretch of land between Beach Road… Read more »

Blackpool’s Victorian Great Wheel

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Blackpool’s iconic tower dominates the skyline at the famous seaside resort with nothing to challenge it, however that wasn’t always the case. In 1896 it had a rival in the form of the ‘Giant Wheel’ although in reality it was never a genuine challenger and lasted a mere 32 years. At around the same time, a roller coaster was built around the corner. See more on that here. Designed by Walter B Bassett and situated next to Blackpool Winter Gardens, the structure was the second wheel out of four that the British Naval Engineer was to erect between the years… Read more »

Major Upgrade to the Ruskin Hotel

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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 »

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 »

Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Course

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Founded in 1886, Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club is one of the most prestigious Championship links courses in the world, known for its challenging design and rich history. It has hosted eleven Open Championships, two Ryder Cups, and numerous other major tournaments, including the Women’s Open, Senior Open, and The Walker Cup. The course is renowned for its 174 strategically placed pot bunkers, which create formidable hazards and test even the most skilled golfers. While not directly on the coast, it is close enough to be affected by the sea breeze, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Surrounded… Read more »

Thompsons Shoplifters & Building Contractors

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Thompson Contracts Blackpool Ltd was founded in 2008 by brothers Matthew and Joseph Thompson. Initially targeting pubs, breweries, and leisure facilities, the company quickly grew in reputation and scope. After two years of operations, they relocated from a single unit on a business park to Dales Farm, where they established their Head Office and workshops. This move marked the beginning of their expansion into new sectors, including service stations, hospitals, hotels, railway stations, and airports. Between 2016 and 2018, Thompson Contracts further broadened its portfolio, taking on projects within the retail sector and for football clubs. However, in 2019, the… Read more »