Tag: Landmarks

From Trocadero Cinema to Happy Dayz Amusements

Posted by

The Happy Dayz building, now a popular amusement arcade, has a long and varied history that began far from the world of gaming and entertainment machines. Originally opened as a cinema on 17 May 1912, the building was first known as the Central Beach Cinema. Located on the Promenade opposite the Central Pier, the cinema offered both film screenings and live stage performances. This dual purpose made it an important part of Blackpool’s entertainment scene, but its history would prove to be anything but stable. By the early 1920s, the cinema underwent its first name change, becoming the Trocadero Cinema…. Read more »

Funland Amusements

Posted by

Funland Amusements in Blackpool was built in 1861 when Read’s Bazaar, Market, and Sea Water Baths opened. The site was later the location of Coney Island amusement centre before becoming the Funland Amusements visitors know today. Situated on Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile, nestled between the SEA LIFE Centre and Madame Tussauds, Funland lives up to its name with a big arcade filled with plenty of games, children’s rides, and that classic seaside favourite – bingo. As one of the largest amusement venues in the area, it offers a diverse range of entertainment options for visitors of all ages. The arcade… Read more »

Nickelodeon Land at the Pleasure Beach

Posted by

In 2011, the Thompson family and Blackpool Pleasure Beach entered into a landmark agreement with Viacom, the owners of the global Nickelodeon brand, to transform a section of the park into Nickelodeon Land. This 4-acre, £10 million redevelopment was aimed at creating a fun-filled, immersive experience for younger visitors. It replaced the former children’s area, Beaver Creek, which had closed in 2010. The new area was not only a fresh take on the park’s family offerings but also included several major updates to existing attractions. For example, the park’s Rollercoaster was completely rethemed and reopened as Nickelodeon Streak, while the… Read more »

Stageworks Worldwide Productions

Posted by

Amanda Thompson, daughter of the legendary Geoffrey Thompson and granddaughter of the founder of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, has been a pivotal figure in the continued success of the iconic amusement park. As President of Stageworks Worldwide Productions, a company she founded in 1982, Amanda has helped bring a variety of spectacular live shows to stages and ice rinks around the world. Under her leadership, Stageworks has become renowned for producing unforgettable performances, including those staged at the Pleasure Beach, where her talent for blending entertainment and innovation continues to shine. Having joined the Pleasure Beach team in the early 2000s,… Read more »

Mary’s Shell and More

Posted by

Mary’s Shell, an iconic piece of public art, was installed on Cleveleys Beach on 8th July 2013, as part of the ambitious Mythic Coast project, envisioned by artist Stephen Broadbent. This striking sculpture is one of several cultural initiatives designed to rejuvenate the Wyre coastline, particularly Cleveleys, and is closely linked to ongoing sea defence works in the area. The installation of Mary’s Shell was central to a broader cultural vision for the region, outlined in a strategy document produced by Broadbent’s studio. This vision document formed the foundation for a successful application to the Sea Change Fund, a government… Read more »

Silcocks Fun Palace

Posted by

Situated on Blackpool’s iconic Golden Mile, Silcock’s Fun Palace has been a staple of the town’s vibrant amusement scene since its opening in 1994. Unlike many of the other attractions along the promenade, Silcock’s Fun Palace is open all year round, making it a go-to destination regardless of the weather. Whether it’s sunny or stormy, visitors can count on a thrilling experience indoors, offering a wide array of adult gaming machines, £500 jackpots, and fun-filled ticket games for all ages. Silcock Leisure, the company behind the Fun Palace, is a remarkable 6th-generation family business that has been an integral part… Read more »

Ma Kellys Cabaret Showboat

Posted by

After undergoing a complete overhaul in both ownership and refurbishment, the iconic Showboat re-opened its doors in August 2017, bringing with it a fresh, exciting atmosphere and a commitment to offering one of the most unique entertainment experiences in Blackpool. There are more Ma Kellys on the Fylde Coast, one of which is the former Foxhall Pub. Widely regarded as one of the most exhilarating and amusing FREE shows on the Fylde Coast, the Showboat Showstopper delivers a thrilling evening of live entertainment that is impossible to beat. Every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday throughout the season, and on select winter… Read more »

Fleetwood North Euston Hotel

Posted by

The North Euston Hotel, situated in Fleetwood, Lancashire, was constructed between 1840 and 1841, with the architectural design provided by Decimus Burton. Initially intended as a hotel, the building served a different purpose for much of the late 19th century when it was requisitioned by the War Department and used as a School of Musketry. By the turn of the century, the hotel resumed its original function. In 1950, it was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage, recognising its national importance and distinctive architectural merit. Fleetwood itself was a planned town, conceived in the 19th century by… Read more »

Fleetwood RNLI Shop & Coastguard

Posted by

Fleetwood Lifeboat Station, located on The Esplanade at Fleetwood Port in Lancashire, has been an integral part of the town’s maritime history since its establishment in 1859. The station was set up by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) after a request was made by Captain Edward Frodsham Noel K. Wasey, RN, H.M. Coastguard, to provide a lifeboat service for Fleetwood. In response, a Peake-class 30-foot rowing lifeboat was constructed and stationed at Fleetwood, and a new boathouse was built opposite the North Euston Hotel at a cost of £174-18s-6d. The lifeboat arrived on 20 March 1859, and John Fox… Read more »

Fleetwood’s Pharos (Upper) Lighthouse

Posted by

The Pharos Lighthouse (also known as the Upper Lighthouse) is a historic and iconic structure located in Fleetwood, Lancashire, England. Standing at a height of 93 feet (28 meters), it is built from Runcorn red sandstone and was designed by the renowned architect Decimus Burton in 1839, with assistance from Captain H.M. Denham. Burton had been commissioned by Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood to design the new town of Fleetwood, and the lighthouse was one of the key elements of the town’s maritime infrastructure. Construction was completed in 1840, and it has since become one of Fleetwood’s most recognisable landmarks. Unusually… Read more »