Tag: Landmarks

The Original Coasters Restaurant

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Coasters Restaurant was first built in the late eighties or early nineties. Sometime afterwards, the marketing manager from Blackpool Pleasure Beach approached Malcolm Clement from Prontoprint on Whitegate Drive about getting a new menu designed. Malcolm then subcontracted the work to Encore Design, which was taken over by Deeper Blue twenty years later. Like the designers, it would appear that Coasters Restaurant has moved on too… from Ocean Boulevard to inside Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The new restaurant has a somewhat more restrained decor than before. The old place had actual roller coaster carriages converted into dining booths whereas the new… Read more »

Lancashire Energy HQ

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Opened in September 2017, the £12m Lancashire Energy HQ (LEHQ) is a state-of-the-art facility developed by Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) and co-funded by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. Located within Blackpool Airport’s newly established Enterprise Zone, the centre is purpose-built to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the engineering, manufacturing, and energy sectors. LEHQ offers a wide range of training programmes for individuals aged 16 and over who are looking to advance their careers in these high-demand industries. The facility is equipped with industry-standard resources and staffed by experts in education, ensuring high-quality STEM training. The evolving… Read more »

Roy Castle Photo Exclusive!

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The following pictures were taken by Marilyn Read in 1988 during a Plumb Centre group tour of Portugal and are being published for the first time on Blackpool Timeline. Whilst these photos weren’t taken in Blackpool, Roy Castle is from Cleveleys and spent a lot of time entertaining in Blackpool, including his world record attempt at Blackpool Tower for Record Breakers, the TV show he hosted since its first airing in 1972. The Tower rope slide event can be seen towards the end of the video (featured below in this post) with many of his career highlights.

Blackpool Amusements

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Blackpool’s newest family entertainment centre offers fun for all ages, spread across two floors in the iconic former Woolworth’s building, located right next to Blackpool Tower. The vibrant, selfie-friendly décor sets the scene for a great time, while the impressive prize shop and spacious café on the second floor—offering stunning views of the promenade—make it the perfect spot for both excitement and relaxation. Unlike traditional arcades, this modern venue is designed with families in mind. Crown Leisure has transformed the space into a bright, welcoming entertainment hub that caters to everyone. This new arcade replaces the former Golden Mile Amusements,… Read more »

Grab City Fire

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In October 2002, a devastating fire broke out at Grab City, a popular amusement arcade located on Blackpool’s Golden Mile. The blaze, which caused an estimated £5 million worth of damage, also trapped the arcade’s manageress, Christine Hindle, inside the building. Fortunately, she was rescued by firefighters. The fire, later determined to be a deliberate act of arson, sparked a large-scale investigation. It was revealed that the fire had been set as revenge by a disgruntled couple, Terrence and Beryl Newton, who had fallen out with the arcade’s owner, David Bowen-Price. The Newtons, who operated market stalls within Grab City,… Read more »

Boulevard Hotel

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Opened in 2018, The Boulevard Hotel has quickly become one of Blackpool’s top destinations for families and leisure travelers. Situated next to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the hotel features 120 modern rooms, many offering spectacular views of the Pleasure Beach and the Blackpool coastline. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for families looking to enjoy the theme park, as well as nearby attractions like Sandcastle Waterpark and the South Pier. The hotel has garnered numerous accolades since opening, including a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and the Best Hotel for Families award at the 2019 British Hotel Awards. It has… Read more »

The Big Blue Hotel

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The Big Blue Hotel in Blackpool is a contemporary, family-friendly hotel located on the grounds of the famous Pleasure Beach theme park, offering a unique and immersive experience for visitors. Opened in 2003, the hotel was designed to provide guests with a modern and vibrant place to stay while enjoying the thrills of Blackpool’s iconic amusement park. With its bold, striking exterior, featuring shades of blue and contemporary architecture, the Big Blue stands out on Blackpool’s promenade, drawing attention with its playful and colourful design. The hotel boasts over 140 rooms, offering a range of accommodations from standard rooms to… Read more »

Fleetwood Pier

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Fleetwood Pier, also known as Victoria Pier, was officially opened on Whit Monday in 1910, measuring just 492 feet (150 meters) in length, making it one of the shortest piers in the UK. Built at the tail end of the golden era of pier construction, it was the last pleasure pier to be constructed in the country. Over the years, the pier hosted a variety of attractions, including a cinema opened in 1942 and a pavilion added in 2011. The pier’s history has been marked by several setbacks, the most significant being a devastating fire on 25 August 1952, which… Read more »

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

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Opened in 1974, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Blackpool is a must-visit for anyone curious about the bizarre and the extraordinary. Spread across two floors, the attraction features eight themed galleries, each showcasing a fascinating collection of unusual artifacts, oddities, and interactive exhibits from around the world. Whether you’re exploring peculiar cultural relics, remarkable people, or the wonders of nature, there’s something to amaze and intrigue at every turn. The concept behind Ripley’s Believe It or Not! comes from Robert Ripley, a cartoonist, adventurer, and collector of strange stories. Ripley traveled the world in search of the weirdest and… Read more »

Mr B’s and Golden Mile Amusements

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Mr B’s Golden Mile Centre opened its doors in 1968, marking a new era for Blackpool’s amusement scene as the town’s first purpose-built arcade. Prior to this, most arcades were makeshift structures—canopies or converted sheds attached to the fronts of old hotels and guesthouses. Located on Central Promenade, Mr B’s was a modern two-story building that boasted a variety of rides, including Waltzers and Dodgems, alongside a wide selection of slot machines and pinball machines, making it a major attraction for both locals and visitors. Tragically, on 2 July 2009, the arcade was devastated by a fire that completely destroyed… Read more »