Blackpool News and Updates

24/01/2025

TikTokker James Barnett releases short film which shines a light on Blackpool’s vibrant q***r scene

The film, from James Barnett, aims to showcase all that Blackpool has to offer and challenge its "representation and its reputation."

24/01/2025

Blackpool is UK's trending weekend destination Blackpool is once again the destination of choice for weekend breaks, according to data analysed by The Hole in Wand.

Using a combination of historical Google search data and official visitor numbers, the wizarding mini golf experience found that demand for weekend breaks in Blackpool is on the rise.

While COVID had a major impact on local tourism, since December 2022 searches for the term 'weekend break in Blackpool' have risen by 38% (720 to 1000).

Since December 2021 - the first festive period post-lockdown - the rise in searches has increased by 156% (390 to 1000).

For example:
'weekend break in blackpool'
- Dec 2021 Searches: 390
- Dec 2024 Searches: 100
- Growth: 156% https://www.openpr.com/news/3828265/blackpool-is-uk-s-trending-weekend-destination

24/01/2025

This is why Blackpool Illuminations were on last night

Residents in Blackpool were puzzled when then the town’s famous Illuminations were suddenly switched on last night - three weeks after they were officially switched off.

24/01/2025

Zoo closes for the day due to storm fears

Blackpool Zoo has announced it will be closed today due to Storm Éowyn.

24/01/2025

Stay safe - Storm Eowyn hour-by-hour forecast for Lancashire

Gusts will reach up to 80mph

01/01/2025

BLACKPOOL NAMED FRIENDLIEST PLACE
Blackpool has claimed the top spot as the friendliest large destination in the UK, according to a recent study.
The beloved seaside town earned an impressive score of 79.9 out of 100, beating places like Brighton, York, and Edinburgh

BLACKPOOL NAMED FRIENDLIEST PLACE

Blackpool has claimed the top spot as the friendliest large destination in the UK, according to a recent study.

The beloved seaside town earned an impressive score of 79.9 out of 100, beating places like Brighton, York, and Edinburgh

01/01/2025

Happy New Year! New adventures, new holidays, and new memories await you!

📷 Sky Shots Karl Houghton

30/12/2024

Sandcastle Waterpark is looking to recruit Lifeguards to join our existing team. Our Lifeguards are at the heart of ensuring guest safety in our pools and on our waterslides and attractions.
In addition, they also ensure that our Guests receive the best possible service throughout their visit.
No previous experience is required as full training will be given to achieve your NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification).

Applications are also welcome from those who already have their NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification).

Rate of pay - £12.00 per hour (16+). Full and part time positions available including working at weekends.

The Sandcastle Waterpark Team is committed to ensuring Guest Service Excellence, Workplace Diversity and Inclusion for All.

To apply, head to the Recruitment page on our website:
https://www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk/join-our-team/

30/12/2024

Update from Blackpool Council and Visit Blackpool
Family Party on the Prom
Important Update for Our New Year's Eve Family Party!

Due to the forecast of high winds tomorrow evening, we have had to make the tough decision to cancel the fireworks display this year.

The rest of the New Year's Eve Family Party will continue as planned, with plenty of fun activities for all the family, including the LeylandHosen Bierkeller Band, who will be performing during the afternoon. There will also be children’s rides, themed food and drink cabins, and a free skating rink as part of the festive village. The New Year's Eve projection show will still go ahead as planned at 6pm.

The festivities continue with the skating rink and Christmas village open until 9pm, and the iconic six-mile Illuminations display illuminating the Promenade from 4.30pm to 1am.

At midnight, the projection show that will feature in the family party will be shown on The Blackpool Tower to mark the start of 2025.

30/12/2024

New Year's Eve in Blackpool

Welcome in the start of a brand new year at the UK's favourite seaside resort. Find out all the NYE events and activities planned in Blackpool.

30/12/2024

New Year's Eve seaside fireworks display cancelled

Blackpool Council says it was forced to make the decision following a forecast of strong winds.

25/12/2024

The night before Christmas. Blackpool is aglow with festive magic!

📷 Sky Shots Karl Houghton

21/12/2024

37 incredible pictures which embrace Blackpool historically as a seaside town through eras

There is no particular theme for these pictures from the past, they are just fabulous snapshots of our beautiful town.

11/12/2024

"I'm part of the team behind Pleasure Beach Resort's new ride - here's what to expect"

“It’s really going to give you that weighless feeling”.

10/12/2024

Pleasure Beach Resort unveils plans for Ice Blast ride

Pleasure Beach Resort has been keeping tight-lipped on plans for its iconic Ice Blast ride – until now.
The ride, a 210 foot shot tower which catapults riders skywards at 80mph, has been closed for the 2024 season and work has been taking place.
Now, the Blackpool attraction has revealed exactly what it has in store – and it marks the end of Ice Blast as we know it.
New for the 2025 season, the ride is being reimagined and re-themed, and will re-open under the name ‘Launch Pad.’
As well as the new theming and branding, the ride has received a brand new pressure cylinder which will transform the current ride experience, and thrust riders with more force than they’ve experienced in recent years.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “Earlier this year we announced that we are focusing on constantly evolving and renewing our ride offering, and confirmed our intention to make some exciting announcements in the future.
“The new era of Launch Pad is only the first, and we’re looking forward to everything the future holds at Pleasure Beach Resort.”
Karl Murphy, director of engineering at Pleasure Beach Resort, added: “A new cylinder might not sound much on paper, but it will make a huge difference in terms of the ride experience. Riders can expect to feel their stomachs drop to the floor with the increased force and experience moments of weightlessness.
“That, coupled with Launch Pad’s re-theming, makes for a very thrilling new era indeed.”
The newly-named Launch Pad first opened in 1997 under the name PlayStation: The Ride, due to its sponsorship with Sony. It was the first tower ride in the UK and was opened by boyband-of-the-moment Boyzone.The band, fronted by Ronan Keating, were the first riders alongside 94-year-old Doris Thompson, the late grandmother of current CEO, Amanda Thompson.
The ride was re-named Ice Blast after its sponsorship changed to Tango in 2000, and has operated under that name until now.
Launch Pad is expected to be open for Pleasure Beach Resort’s 2025 season, which starts on Saturday March 2 and is bookable now.

10/12/2024

Exciting events for 2025!

10/12/2024

10/12/2024

Big news!