Talbot Gateway - Blackpool redevelopment - £220 million

[Pete]

BLACKPOOL'S dream of a new multi-million pound business district could move a step closer to reality tomorrow.
Regeneration bosses are hoping the council's executive committee will approve the £220m redevelopment of the Talbot Gateway scheme on the edge of the town centre.

Muse Developments will present the committee with its plans to transform the area with a 10-hectare mixed use scheme. If the plans are approved a development agreement is expected to be signed shortly.

Muse want to transform the deprived northern area of the resort into a new business district with an attractive, pedestrian-friendly civic and cultural quarter, including shops, cafes, residential apartments, town centre parking and new public transport projects.

Mike Horner, regional director of Muse Developments, said: "The development of the new business district, through Talbot Gateway, is a very exciting project for Blackpool which will combine high quality buildings and attractive urban spaces to provide a vibrant mixed-use quarter for the town and a new destination for local residents. The scheme will strengthen the town centre and is vital to help generate much needed investment and re-establish Blackpool as a major town.

"We are working very hard alongside the council and ReBlackpool and looking forward to bringing the development forward and delivering change on the ground at the earliest possible opportunity."

Muse Developments was selected as preferred developer by ReBlackpool and the authority last year to undertake the redevelopment of the area around Blackpool North railway station.

The massive legal agreement surrounding this major development is now all but finalised and an outline planning application for the Talbot Gateway scheme is expected to be submitted in spring 2009 with a start on a first phase anticipated in 2010.

Doug Garrett, chief executive of ReBlackpool, said: "The Talbot Gateway is a vital component of Blackpool's masterplan to re-establish the town centre as a first choice for business and retail.

"Having a dedicated business district will undoubtedly attract more businesses to the area and provide lots of opportunities for investment that will help facilitate the growth of the town.

"ReBlackpool is focussed on creating a new business landscape that will increase prosperity and employment in the town."

Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism, said: "If approved, Talbot Gateway would give Blackpool a high quality business quarter bringing in massive outside investment."

[Pete]

For those who dont know the Talbot redevelopment is located around Blackpool North railway station. It encompasses what is currently Talbot road bus depot, Wilkinsons, the indoor bowling greens and is bounded by Funny Girls. I believe Funny Girls will be staying but between Funny Girls and the car park behind Talbot road buus depot will be demolished and between North station part way down and part way down Talbot road will be flattened. Then the redevelopment starts, if approved the plans will be submitted in 2009 and work started in 2010, but looking at how long Houndshill has taken I wouldnt mind betting that it wont be finished till 2014. But it will make the public transport route into Blackpool look really nice.

[grannyclaret]

Blackpool bus station was the bleakest coldest bus station ever,,, i will be glad to see it go

[Christian1985]

I agree I will be glad to see most of that area go for redevelopment. This area has a lot of potential so I just wish they would stop showing us visions and artists impressions and get on with it. It will be nice to have a proper business district in Blackpool and give the TG area a much needed facelift, also the relocation of the police station and courts will hopefully mean we can start making progress with finding a use for Central Station

[gazman2k]

A pre-planning application exhibition of proposals for Talbot Gateway will be held in St Johns church on these following dates :-

Thursday 5th November: 1.00pm - 8.00pm
Friday 6th November: 10.00am - 5.30pm
Saturday 7th November: 9.00am - 1.00pm

Members of the design team will be there to answer questions.

[merie]

Went to see the exhibit yesterday morning and it all looks brill, well lets face it compared to what is here a black hole would look better lol..

But really I was impressed. Just wish it didn't have to take so long to do. I will be old by the time its done lmao.

First thing going up is the super-market Yah!!!!

Not sure how the new road thing is going to work, as Buchannan street is not wide enough to take two way traffic in large amounts. They said they were going to widen it, but cannot see how. as thankfully they are keeping the lovely black and white pub on the corner so how will they widen the road?

Its great they are doing something up here. when someone gets off the train its such a run down area, it will make such a difference.

[Christian1985]

Unfortunately I was working on every one of those times and I was dying to see the plans as well. I am glad plans are finally starting to surface. I just wish they would sign up a tenant for the supermarket preferably Sainsburys, the only one of the BIG 4 that doesn't a large store on the Fylde Coast.

[Snorkerz]

Worth remembering that FineFare/Gateways was the original tenant of the Wilkinsons building and they couldn't make it work.

[gazman2k]

Originally Posted by Snorkerz

Worth remembering that FineFare/Gateways was the original tenant of the Wilkinsons building and they couldn't make it work.

Someone told me it was used to be Presto before wilko.

[Christian1985]

As far I can remember it was Gateway and then Food Giant then Wilkos.

[Snorkerz]

Yes, you're right. It started off as Fine Fare but most Fine Fares became Gateways (or were closed) in 1985 when ABF sold the brand to Gateways owners - the Dee Corporation.

The 'arches' in the wall facing the bus station have panels with small FF logos all over.