Blackpool Council to Launch Formal Search for Blackpool Central Developer

Image: Blackpool Council

Blackpool Council is moving to the next procedural step in its long-running push to redevelop the 10-acre Blackpool Central site in the town centre. A report went to the council's Executive on 14 September seeking approval to formally launch a developer and investor procurement process beginning in October, with marketing consultants Newmark HDH and The Leisure Way appointed to promote the site to potential partners nationally and internationally. A successful partner is expected to be selected by spring 2027.

This builds directly on the UK government's £20 million commitment, announced earlier in September, to explore delivery of a 20,000-seat arena at the site -- informally known as the "Phoenix Arena" concept, after an independently-developed vision from Carters Building Consultancy that's circulated locally for some time. At this stage it remains simply government funding to explore feasibility and not a committed development plan.

The council has been careful to say that any winning proposal -- including the Phoenix Arena concept -- will need to meet the site's broader regeneration criteria rather than an arena being treated as a fixed outcome. That's a meaningful qualifier for a seaside town that has spent years trying to diversify its tourism economy beyond its traditional seafront attractions.

The council is opening the door to find out who's willing to build something here and what they'd propose, with the arena concept as one strong possibility among what could be several different visions for the land.