Lead Projects

There are many innovative developments happening within Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

Blackpool and the Fylde Coast are undergoing an extraordinary amount of world leading change and development programmes, transforming the appearance of the area and the facilities available to everyone who lives and works here.

Blackpool’s new Conference and Exhibition Centre

A new £28m Conference and Exhibition Centre has opened at the Blackpool Winter Gardens, increasing delegate capacity in Blackpool. Plans for a connected hotel have also been approved.

Talbot Gateway

Talbot Gateway is Blackpool’s central business district, which includes new offices, a Sainsbury’s superstore, retail units and a new public transport interchange at Blackpool North station.

A new road layout and modern pavements have helped to transform the once run-down area in the north of the town centre, creating a new vibrant place to work and do business.

The district is bringing over 8,000 professional workers and students over the next five years.

Silicon Sands

Silicon Sands will be a digital-led campus for high performance companies. This includes artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, energy consultancies and more, all anchored around a number of ethically powered data centres.

The data centres will be driven by renewable energy, cooled by liquid immersion technology and their excess heat recycled for use in a district heat network. A 32MVA primary substation, along with plans for nearby wind and solar farms, create an abundance of power options, meaning Silicon Sands has the land, power and connectivity to thrive.

Blackpool is a station on the North Atlantic Loop, carrying up to one third of the world's internet between New York, Dublin and Northern Europe in less than 0.064s.

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is a £300m project designed to make the area one of the North West’s premier business destinations.

Private investment has created over 375,000 sqft of new and refurbished commercial space, while Blackpool Council is funding two major expansions to the business park.

A new access road to the Enterprise Zone is being built to open up 10.5 hectares of commercial land from 2025, creating opportunity for business relocation or growth.

A masterplan to improve Blackpool Airport by creating new hangars is also creating space and power for Silicon Sands.

Blackpool Central

Blackpool Central is an ambitious £300m entertainment and leisure development a short walk from Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile. It’s the biggest, single investment in the town’s tourism industry for more than a century, offering world-class family attractions.

A thriving town centre

Leading retail and leisure developments are contributing to a thriving Blackpool town centre.

At the Houndshill Shopping Centre, a new IMAX Cinema and Diner opened in 2024, while a new Frasers department store in increasing footfall and occupacy in the town centre.

Get in touch

Get in touch with the Growth and Prosperity Team and find out more about how Blackpool Makes it Work.