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Plans for new £300m leisure complex in Blackpool with three theme parks given go ahead
Blackpool Pleasure Beach bosses have opposed the plans, saying they will ‘threaten the existence’ of the park
An ambitious £300m leisure complex plan for Blackpool Central has this week been given the go-ahead by the council.
According to the BBC, councillors have backed plans to create a heritage quarter on Central Drive in Blackpool including three indoor theme parks, an artisan food hall, boutique holiday apartments and an outdoor entertainment space.
Other plans include converting the Grade II-listed former King Edward VII Cinema into a food hall with outdoor dining areas, refurbishing the locally-listed King Edward VII pub and turning the King Edward VII apartment building into a hotel.
Nikal Ltd
A 1,306 space seven-storey car park – which will be the first part of the scheme completed by developers Nikal Ltd and Media Invest Entertainment – has also been approved.
Richard Fee, chief executive of Nikal, said on the ambitious project: “This is a key moment for levelling up Blackpool’s visitor economy post Covid. Blackpool Central will help transform and future-proof the town’s tourism offer, and last night’s approval is an important step forward in our journey.”
However, not everyone is too keen on the idea of more theme parks along Blackpool’s promenade; Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool’s massively popular sea-front theme park, has objected to the plans, saying three new theme parks will ‘undermine’ its tourism offer.
Nick Laister, representing the park, said there would be nothing to stop the developers installing mechanical rides rather than delivering a unique new experience for Blackpool visitors.
He said: “You are being asked to approve another theme park in Blackpool which will directly undermine Blackpool Pleasure Beach which is a major resort core attraction.”
However, committee chairman Councillor David Owen said he doesn’t believe Blackpool Central would ‘be any significant competition’ to the Pleasure Beach, saying, as per the Blackpool Gazette: “I honestly think the Pleasure Beach has always been the major attraction in Blackpool. It always has been since it started, it has always replenished itself.”
The leisure complex is predicted to be fully complete in ten years time, with work starting next year in 2022.
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P!NK is kicking-off her world tour in Bolton next week
P!NK will bring her tour to Greater Manchester next week
Pop star P!NK is set to kick-off her world tour starting in Bolton next week.
The 43-year-old superstar will embark on her Summer Carnival World Tour next week at the University of Bolton Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday, June 7th and 8th.
The popular American singer-songwriter will take to the stage — in her upcoming eighth concert tour — for the two days as she performs some of her well-known hits and best loved tracks, including songs from her latest album, Trustfall.
The six-pack sporting musician, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted an image of herself suspended in the air, while practising some kind of aerial arts, on Instagram last week to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Alongside the image she wrote: “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
The quote was taken from the 19th-century American philosopher and poet Henry Thoreau. One excited fan wrote: “Can’t wait to see u in Berlin!! I’m flying from Barcelona.”
Another one-upped them and said: “Can’t wait to see her in Germany!!! flying from NY to Barcelona then to Germany!!” A third fan added: “Can’t wait to see you in July…this will be so fantastic.”
The concerts will be held in the open air, with doors opening from 4.30pm and music due to start at 5.30pm – 11pm on both days.
P!NK will be supported by special guests at the concerts including Kidcutup, Gayle and The Script.
The council has issued advice for parking and traffic management with extensive traffic restrictions in place due to concertgoers travelling by different forms of transport such as car, coaches, public transport, taxis and also by foot.
Tickets for the events can be purchased by clicking HERE.
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The Champions League final is being shown at Manchester’s biggest fan park
A Sky Sports presenter plus a genuine footballing legend will be there to give their match analysis
A Champion’s League Final festival is coming to The Love Factory in Manchester for the big game next month.
Sporting events company, 4TheFans has announced its UEFA Champions League Final Festival FanPark at Love Factory in central Manchester on Saturday, June 10th.
Man City secured their place at the Istanbul final when they beat Real Madrid at the Etihad.
As the Blues march into the final for what could be a historic treble, families are welcome to watch them at this the huge indoor and outdoor event — opening its doors from 3pm. The match will kick-off at 8pm GMT.
Only 10 minutes walk from Manchester Victoria, it will be the ultimate place for all the family to watch Manchester City take on Inter Milan.
Fans will get to enjoy the big game on huge anti-glare screens and soak up entertainment including a Sky Sports presenter, football legend, DJs, competitions, and fun footy activities — the atmosphere will be immense!
Hosting the event will be a Sky Sports presenter plus a Man City legend to give their match analysis and have bags of banter as part of an interactive show for the fans.
The real festival atmosphere will continue as fans enjoy a variety of food and drink (including award-winning pies), and more.
All ages are welcome making this the most family-friendly fan park available. Kids can take on their parents in footy activations including penalty shootouts, and a precision wall to test their accuracy.
And when Manchester City score, get ready for big celebrations with awesome special effects such as pyrotechnics and cO2 cannons!
Tickets are expected to sell out fast so fans should move quickly to secure their spot and avoid disappointment! General admission tickets start at £8 per person for a group of six, and £10 for individual tickets with a VIP box starting from £75 per person.
To book tickets and find out more CLICK HERE.
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DJ Fat Tony coming to Selfridges for Q&A about new ‘outrageous’ memoir
He hung out with Leigh Bowery and Andy Warhol, and created his drag persona, before becoming DJ to the stars
DJ Fat Tony is coming to Selfridges, Manchester this week to do a Q&A about his new ‘outrageous’ memoir, I Don’t Take Requests.
Join one of the most controversial DJs to ever grace the UK party scene along with his co-author Michael Hennegan in conversation, as they celebrate the paperback release of I Don’t Take Requests.
The live discussion with the DJ, about his life and memoir, will take place on Friday, May 26th 6-8pm. Tickets cost £10 and guests will receive a free paperback copy of his new release as well as the chance to enjoy a live DJ set.
Throughout his life and career, the DJ has grappled with addiction, a HIV diagnosis and various career challenges.
Harrowing, honest, and funny, I Don’t Take Requests is the ‘candid and outrageous memoir of a life of extremes’.
It’s a story of ‘getting it all and losing it all’. Addiction, recovery, and starting again. Drawing a vivid portrait of Britain’s street culture from the 1980s to the noughties.
DJ Fat Tony describes his childhood on a London estate where he honed his petty criminality, was abused by an older man, and became best friends with Boy George.
He spent his teenage years parading the Kings Road in his latest (mostly stolen) clobber, worked as a receptionist at a brothel, hung out with Leigh Bowery and Andy Warhol, and created his drag persona, before becoming DJ to the stars (including Prince and Madonna) and spiralling into a life threatening drug addiction.
Now 16 years sober he has enjoyed a renaissance in life, becoming one of fashion’s favourite DJs. He does this whilst being a leading voice on the sobriety scene and an LGBTQ activist.
Tickets cost £10 and include a copy of I Don’t Take Requests, a Q&A panel discussion, as well as a live DJ set.
For tickets to the event click HERE.
Fri 26th May, 2023 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Men’s Level 1, Selfridges, 1 Exchange Sq, Central, Manchester M3 1BD.
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