Blackpool brings leisure opportunity to market

A “high-quality” attraction could be built on vacant land between South Pier and the Sandcastle indoor waterpark.

Blackpool Council is seeking a company to deliver and operate a leisure scheme on a 0.75-acre gap site off the Promenade.

Tender documents for the opportunity give little away in terms of what the council is looking for, although a “traditional multi-ride fairground use will not be considered”, they state.

The site is located in an area characterised by experiential destinations. As well as the pier and Sandcastle, a Grosvenor casino and Blackpool Pleasure Beach are located nearby.

Documents ask applications to outline the “unique appeal” of any submissions and ask how their plans would differ from existing attractions.

The site of Blackpool’s largest leisure project is a mile or so north. The £300m Blackpool Central, which is being delivered by Nikal on behalf of the council, is earmarked for a 127,000 sq ft flying theatre, two smaller indoor theme parks, a 200-bedroom hotel, several bars and restaurants, and a 70,000 sq ft public square.