Blackpool Council not ruling out major arena development

Image: Blackpool Council

Blackpool Council is set to continue with a procurement exercise to find a developer for the Blackpool Central site in the English seaside town.

Blackpool Council said the exercise to find a developer/investor for the Blackpool Central site has been recommended to Blackpool Council’s Executive.

The recommendations follow the decision to appoint leading marketing consultants Newmark HDH and theleisureway in October 2025, who have been working with the council to promote the development potential for the site both nationally and internationally at major property events, including MIPIM and UKREiiF.

The procurement process is expected to begin next month, with the successful development partner expected to be appointed in spring 2027.

Blackpool Council insists it has not ruled out the prospect of an arena for the town, despite the proposals not being included in an update on the ambitious Blackpool Central proposals.

A Blackpool Council spokesperson said, “We have never ruled out an arena as a potentially good option, and this has already been the subject of discussions with developers.

“The next stage is about identifying and selecting the right developer and investment partner, and that process must come before decisions are made on the specific details of any future development.

“It is also important that any proposal delivers year-round use and is commercially viable.”

Earlier this month details were released for Phoenix Arena, a visionary 20,000-seat entertainment venue for the town.

Carters Building Consultancy said the vision explores how a new Blackpool arena could support regeneration, concerts, sport, conferences and year-round events.

Phoenix Arena Blackpool is an independently developed proposal for a new Blackpool arena with a flexible capacity of up to 20,000 spectators.
 

Blackpool Central site

Blackpool Central is a 10-acre site in the shadow of The Blackpool Tower. The site sits in the heart of the town centre, benefitting from a prime location, high footfall and great transport connectivity via a direct road off the M55 motorway, as well as via Blackpool Tower tram stop.

The site opens up onto Blackpool Promenade and seafront, as well as the resort’s main area for major events such as Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool Air Show and the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool.

The site also features a 1,306 space multi-storey car park, which opened in 2024, while demolition of the police station and courts building have created a shovel-ready site in preparation for the future development.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said, “This is another important step towards bringing a new and exciting leisure attraction to Blackpool.

“The site offers a unique opportunity to deliver a major mixed-use leisure-led development in the heart of the town, creating even more reasons for people to visit Blackpool throughout the year and helping make Blackpool better for residents, businesses and future generations.

“The work carried out to date has generated strong interest in the site, and this next stage will help us find the right development partner who shares our ambition to deliver something truly exceptional. We look forward to seeing the opportunity progress over the coming months.”

The development of the Blackpool Central site also supports the council’s wider ambitions to make Central Drive better, including a major housing-led regeneration scheme to improve housing quality and create stronger communities, building more social housing at Foxhall Village, a new community sports village at Blackpool Football Club and improvements to Revoe Park.

Continue following Coliseum for the latest updates on sports venues, stadiums and arena business news worldwide.

Coliseum is dedicated to building a global community of sports and entertainment venue professionals helping create better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and industry experts from around the world. Apply for membership through the Global Sports Venue Alliance and access the 365Coliseum Business platform.

• Tags »
• Blackpool

« Previous News: Super Rugby Pacific spread wings-broaden 2027 calendar
» Next News: Munich anointed as Germany’s Olympic Games bid candidate