Blackpool South MP Chris Webb and Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams have pledged to allocate approximately £1 million towards South Shore, with proposals now being finalised for initiatives that will enhance the area and benefit residents, businesses and community organisations.
The bulk of the funding represents the largest portion of Blackpool's £1.5 million Pride in Place Impact Fund, established by the government to deliver tangible improvements in deprived neighbourhoods. The funding aims to boost local pride, revitalise neglected areas, strengthen communities and create safer, more inviting environments. Both the council leader and local MP collaborate on prioritising funded projects.
Background and Context
When the fund was unveiled in October, Mr Webb made clear his intention for the majority to be channelled towards South Shore, which has been neglected for decades, as previous governments concentrated investment in the town centre, despite it experiencing some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. The MP has spent months elevating South Shore on the government's agenda. He has taken the matter directly to senior ministers including the Chancellor and the Prime Minister, while also bringing ministers to Waterloo Road and Bond Street to witness the challenges first-hand.
Earlier this year, Webb and Lynn Williams revealed that a portion of the funding would go towards reopening Counselling in the Community's South Shore hub, broadening access to mental health services in the area and returning a prominent Waterloo Road unit to community use.
What is Included in the Investment?
A considerably broader package of projects is now being finalised, with investment expected to cover:
- Support for young people and youth-focused provision
- Improvements to the street scene and public realm
- Infrastructure upgrades
- Support for local businesses
- Revitalisation of buildings and neglected sites
- Creation and improvement of community spaces
Co-funded by the Arts Council and the Pride in Place Impact Fund, artists are currently working with pupils from Thames Academy and South Shore residents to develop their design, with spraying scheduled to commence in the first week of June. The Pride in Place funding is also being utilised to repair the roof and reopen the Counselling in the Community building on Waterloo Road, as well as contributing towards the purchase of the building.
The council is additionally exploring improvements to the surrounding environment of both Blackpool South and Blackpool Pleasure Beach train stations, while also considering the potential acquisition of vacant properties and land to restore them to active use.
Future Plans and Vision
Webb, who is currently lobbying the government for a £20m Pride in Place fund for South Shore, hopes the £1m investment signals the beginning of broader regeneration efforts in the area. A council-led Masterplan has been drawn up to provide a cohesive blueprint for redevelopment, alongside a community-led People's Plan created by Empowerment Charity.
Webb said that the investment directly addresses priorities raised by residents through the South Shore People's Plan, which outlines the community's key concerns across 13 principal themes, including enhancing high streets and retail infrastructure, expanding youth services, backing local businesses, tackling derelict buildings, providing educational and employment opportunities, and fostering a stronger sense of community identity.
What Chris Webb MP Said
"South Shore has faced years of neglect and underinvestment by previous governments, but it also has huge potential. We are now finalising around £1 million worth of projects that will make a real difference to people's lives here. This funding will help young people, support businesses, improve the look and feel of the area, create stronger community spaces and inspire pride in South Shore."
"In the grand scheme of government spending, this is a relatively small pot of investment, but working in partnership with the council, local organisations and businesses we're making every pound count. I'm confident it will make a real difference to the area. This is also part of a much bigger effort to regenerate South Shore. We now have the government's attention, community backing and a shared vision for the future of the area. I'll keep pushing for more investment so we can continue building on this momentum."
Council Leader Lynn Williams' Comments
"We're undergoing major regeneration in central Blackpool right now to create jobs and make it a nicer area to live and South Shore deserves the same level of support. The South Shore community is still hurting after the recent fire and I want this fund to be the start of something better."
"We have been working on a community masterplan that could potentially attract millions of pounds from the government and result in major regeneration but in the meantime we are committed to doing activity right now that can have an impact. The fire has to be the turning point for South Shore and a broader investment package that we are committed to working on with government buy in, in order to create something truly transformational that will make Waterloo Road and Lytham Road a real business and community hub that all of Blackpool is proud of. This work, on top of what we are already doing, will brighten the area up and make it a nicer place to live, visit and do business in."
