One of Blackpool’s most iconic venues is set for an exciting new chapter after plans were agreed to transfer its operation to Blackpool Council’s wholly owned tourism company.
the council’s shareholder committee approved proposals to dissolve the company that currently manages the Winter Gardens, bringing all council owned leisure assets under a single operator for the first time.
The Grade II listed Winter Gardens is currently run by Blackpool Entertainment Company Ltd (BECL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blackpool Council. Under the new plans, BECL will be dissolved, with all assets and employees transferring to Blackpool Tourism Ltd (BTL).
This strategic move will enable a long term, unified approach to managing the resort’s key tourism assets while safeguarding the heritage of one of Blackpool’s most treasured buildings.
Blackpool Tourism Limited was established in June 2025 to bring council owned attractions under local management, with a renewed focus on creating a sustainable economic future, increasing employment opportunities for local people and strengthening collaboration across the wider visitor economy.
Kate Shane MBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, said: “This is an exciting and vital step for one of Blackpool’s most iconic venues. Bringing the Winter Gardens into Blackpool Tourism Ltd will deliver significant benefits, including a more strategic approach to event sales.
“We want to showcase Blackpool’s live entertainment to a wider audience while delivering a more efficient operation through shared resources, expertise and infrastructure.”
Cllr Lynn Williams MBE, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Our tourism and visitor economy supports thousands of local jobs, from working directly in attractions, to businesses being part of the supply chain or the spend that comes from large events in hotels, restaurants and bars.
“This move strengthens the way that our tourism offer is aligned, providing a better service for both locals and visitors. To create a sustainable economic future for our town, we must view Blackpool’s tourism industry as one rather than a collection of individual venues.”
Platform 9 to expand restaurant offer at Holiday Inn Blackpool.
A popular restaurant and bar at the heart of Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway central business district has expanded its offering.
Platform 9, which operates in the bar and lobby area of the Holiday Inn Blackpool has taken over the Marco’s New York Italian restaurant.
The move allows locally trained chefs to create a new menu and promises generous portions, bold flavours and excellent value for professional lunches, as well as catering for the growing student numbers from the forthcoming Multiversity.
Since opening in May 2024, the hotel has welcomed over 110,000 guests and continues to offer a popular branded hotel in the town centre. It was also recently named as the best Holiday Inn in the UK and Ireland for guest experience by brand owners IHG.
Mark Winter, General Manager at Holiday Inn Blackpool, said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the hotel since we opened. As well as rooms being booked, people are really enjoying using the lobby and Platform 9 area to eat, meet and socialise.
“This move will allow us to be more flexible with the menu that we offer. I know that our kitchen and waiting staff are excited to let their creativity flow with a new menu and offering specials for our guests to enjoy.”
Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment at Blackpool Council, added: “We knew that a hotel and restaurant would be a success, particularly when sandwiched between the train station and tramway extension, and with over 8,000 workers and students on their doorstep in the coming years.
“This move will allow the Platform 9 offer to grow, reducing commission and offering more flexibility to the excellent team which run the hotel already.”
Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway transformation nears completion
Blackpool’s £350m Talbot Gateway transformation has taken another step towards full occupancy, with 300 workers relocating to the heart of the town centre.
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has moved into the Talbot Gateway around Blackpool North train station.
As an arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHSBSA delivers a range of national services to support the priorities of the NHS, government and local health economies – including NHS pensions and student services.
The deal also moves Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway towards full occupancy, with 99% of the 500,000sqft developed space around Blackpool North train station now occupied.
The relocation of 300 NHSBSA staff is in addition to the 8,000 workers and students moving to the area from other organisations, as part of an expected boost to the town centre economy and creation of more jobs.
Over 500,000sq ft of commercial property has been developed in the Talbot Gateway over the last ten years, including new offices, supermarket, hotel and tramway extension, as well as gyms, restaurants, shops and education space. A new office for the Ministry of Defence is expected to open next year, while construction work for a new Multiversity college campus will start later this year.
Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: “It’s great that more organisations are choosing to move their offices into Blackpool town centre.
“Blackpool is thriving at the moment, with billions of pounds of investment and one of the fastest growing economies in the North West, which means more jobs and opportunities for our local people.
“The Talbot Gateway has completely changed the look of the area around the train station and is really making Blackpool better. It is a vibrant hub of activity and more importantly is bringing jobs and money back into Blackpool town centre.
“That’s so important, because it means businesses can be confident enough to invest in new cafes, coffee shops and retail shops, creating a modern business district that people want to spend time in.”
