Blackpool

Three rail routes in North West England are to be electrified, slashing journey times increasing reliability, and reducing pollution.

The elecrification programme, announced today by Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis, includes:

• 17 miles of track between Preston and Blackpool North, allowing electric trains to run between Blackpool North and Liverpool/Manchester
• 15 miles of track between Huyton and Wigan, allowing electric trains to travel between Wigan and Liverpool, via St Helens
• 25 miles of track between Euxton (near Chorley) and Manchester, allowing electric trains to operate between Preston and Manchester, via Bolton

Electrification will also increase capacity as electrified lines can accommodate longer trains.

Couples planning their upcoming nuptials will now be able to put Blackpool’s world famous Promenade at the top of their list with plans for a brand new wedding venue now well under way.

Offering the perfect marriage between traditional and modern, the cutting-edge, low carbon emission structure will offer breathtaking views across the beach and sea providing the perfect year round beachside wedding venue – offering the luxury of an indoor ceremony hall and an impressive exterior roof terrace.

The plans, submitted by ReBlackpool, Blackpool’s Urban Regeneration Company, were approved on Monday 9 November and construction is due to begin early summer 2010.

Situated with the impressive backdrop of Blackpool Tower, the venue will also be home to a quality beach café/restaurant and Tourist Information Centre, and it’s hoped the first ceremonies will take place in spring 2011.

Located on the Tower Festival Headland, a £14.3 million development close to North Pier, the building will provide a focal point for visitors, alongside neighbouring public artworks and entertainment spaces.

Doug Garrett, Chief Executive of ReBlackpool, said: ‘Many couples long for a beachside wedding but often can’t combine their dreams with guest requirements now they can have the best of both worlds. I’m very pleased Blackpool will be able to offer an innovative setting for couples wanting to marry in a venue with ‘wow’ factor.

The new building will be a fantastic talking point and an impressive addition to the promenade. With a keen focus on reducing carbon emissions and using sustainable building materials, it’s going to be a much loved landmark on the coastline in more ways than one.’

The structure is set to be built from solid timber, produced under strict environmental conditions, and clad in gold coloured, stainless steel shingles, the expressive building design is a celebration of Blackpool’s renowned exuberance and the bracing coastal weather. The eye-catching wedding tower will feature dramatic picture windows to enable visitors, and couples exchanging vows, the chance to enjoy summer sun or the winter illuminations.

Working with dRMM Architects, the building design will use cross laminated timber as a durable, high strength alternative to steel. With many of the timber elements being prefabricated it will be possible for carpenters to assemble the core of the building in a very short space of time. dRMM are currently regarded as the leading Architects for the design and delivery of solid timber architecture.

Recent additions to the original plans include a larger window space allowing more light to flow throughout the structure creating stunning views over the shoreline.

Funding of £2.7 million has been awarded by NWDA for the development cost of the building.

Blackpool’s tram system closed down today for five months, the first stage of a massive £100 million upgrade.

The scheme, announced in June, should be fully complete by April 2012. It includes new accessible trams, new stops, replacement track, and a new depot at Starr Gate.

Bolton-born comedian Peter Kay will host this year’s Royal Variety Performance, taking place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on December 7.

Other acts taking part in the show include Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldburg, Alexandra Burke, Diversity, Miley Cyrus, Paddy McGuiness, and Jason Manford.

The Royal Variety Performance was last staged in Blackpool in 1955, the first time the event had been held outside London.

Proceeds from the event are donated to the Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund, a charity supporting former members of the entertainment industry.

The North West’s top tourism businesses and professionals were honoured in Blackpool last night.

The 2009 Northwest Tourism Awards ceremony was held at Blackpool Tower and organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

18 winners received awards fro BBC presenter Ranvir Singh:

• Bed and Breakfast of the Year – The Ashton, Lancaster
• Large Hotel of the Year – The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
• Small Hotel of the Year – Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel, Windermere
• Self Catering Holiday of the Year – Hall Hills, Dalston, near Carlisle
• Holiday Park of the Year – Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park, Keswick, Cumbria
• Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
• Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire
• Taste of England’s Northwest – Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop, Kendal, Cumbria
• Tourism Experience of the Year – Farmaggedon, near Ormskirk, Lancashire
• Tourism for All – Kerridge End Holiday Cottages, Macclesfield, Cheshire
• Tourism Event of the Year – Blackpool Illuminations
• Public Space Award – Pier Head Public Realm and Canal Link, Liverpool
• Tourist Information Centre of the Year – Wigan TIC
• Travel Journalist of the Year – Stephen McClarence, The Observer
• Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award – Nigel Haworth, Northcote, near Blackburn
• Excellence in Business Tourism – Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool
• Excellence in Customer Service – Christina Dixon, Jurys Inn, Liverpool
• Sustainable Tourism Award – Arena and Convention Centre, Liverpool

Each will represent the North West in next year’s national tourism awards.

The 2009 Northwest Tourism Awards will be held at Blackpool Tower on September 28.

The event will be hosted by BBC presenter Ranvir Singh and is being organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

The finalists are:

Large Hotel of the Year

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, near Chester
Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, Cumbria
Preston Marriott Hotel, Preston, Lancashire
The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
Malmaison Liverpool, Liverpool

Small Hotel of the Year

Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire
Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel, Windermere, Cumbria
Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Ribble Valley

Bed and Breakfast of the Year

Harrop Fold Farm, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Storrs Gate House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
The Ashton, Lancaster, Lancashire
Brooklands Lodge, Sale, Greater Manchester
The Ambassador Townhouse, Southport, Merseyside

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
Walby Farm Park, near Carlisle, Cumbria
Blackpool Tower and Circus, Blackpool
Imperial War Museum North, Manchester
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire
Wordsworth House and Garden, Cockermouth, Cumbria
Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Helmshore, Lancashire
Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Manchester
Acorn Farm, Liverpool

Self Catering Holiday of the Year

Kerridge End Holiday Cottages, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Hall Hills, Dalston, near Carlisle, Cumbria
Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, near Clitheroe, Lancashire
Blue Rainbow Apartments, Manchester
Premier Apartments Liverpool, Liverpool

Holiday Park of the Year

Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park, Keswick, Cumbria
Sunset Park, Hambleton, near Blackpool

Business Tourism Award

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, near Chester
Warwick Mill Business Village, near Carlisle, Cumbria
Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green, near Blackpool
The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
BT Convention Centre, Liverpool

Taste of England’s Northwest

Walk Mill, Chester
Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop, Kendal, Cumbria
La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn, Lancashire
The Modern, Urbis, Manchester
Delifonseca, Liverpool

Tourism Experience of the Year

Roman Tours, Chester
Silverband Falconry, Penrith, Cumbria
Farmaggedon, near Ormskirk, Lancashire
Costumed Performers, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Art in the Age of Steam, National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool

Customer Service Award

Janet Bradshaw, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
Jennifer Taylor, The Archway Guest House, Windermere, Cumbria
Hannah Lee, The New Holly, near Preston
Mahendran Mayan, Renaissance Hotel, Manchester
Christina Dixon, Jurys Inn Hotel, Liverpool

Sustainable Tourism Award

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, near Chester
Langdale Leisure Ltd, Ambleside, Cumbria
Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko, Lancashire
Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester Airport, Greater Manchester
Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, Liverpool

Tourism for All Award

Kerridge End Holiday Cottages, Macclesfield, Cheshire
Ullswater Steamers, Glenridding, Cumbria
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
The Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester

Tourism Event

Nantwich Food and Drink Festival, Cheshire
Westmorland County Agricultural Show, Milnthorpe, Cumbria
Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool
Manchester Pride, Manchester
Creamfields, Merseyside

Public Space Award

Cockermouth Market Place Regeneration Scheme, Cumbria
County Square Environmental Enhancement Scheme, Ulverston, Cumbria
Pier Head Public Realm and Canal Link, Liverpool

Tourist Information Centre of the Year

Congleton TIC, Cheshire
Coniston TIC, Cumbria
Cleveleys TIC, Lancashire
Wigan TIC, Greater Manchester
St Helens TIC, Merseyside

Travel Journalist of the Year

Chris Moss, Time Out
Craig Fleming, Blackpool Gazette
David Atkinson, Freelance
Paul Croughton, The Sunday Times
Stephen McClarence, The Observer

Ocean Parcs, owners of Pontin’s Ltd, has revealed plans for a multi-million pound redevelopment of its holiday park in Southport.

The investment at Pontin’s Southport Holiday Park will be in excess of £100 million, subject to planning approval. Over 250 park jobs and 600 construction jobs will be created.

The plans will create a holiday and leisure facility, unique in the UK and will include:

• The next generation of eco friendly, highly efficient and comfortable holiday accommodation set in a seaside holiday village environment
• A hotel and conference facility
• Shops, bars, restaurants and cafes
• An iconic lido leisure facility and sports/health club

It is intended that the facilities will also be available to non-guests.

Ocean Parcs also announced that the Pontin’s Blackpool Holiday Park will close at the end of the 2009 season.

Ian Smith, Chief Executive of Ocean Parks, said ‘In commencing our strategic long term development plans, it is with regret and sadness that we will not be extending the development plans to our Blackpool Holiday Park. It was not an easy decision for the Board to make but the level of investment required for a short period of time and a reduction in holiday bookings at the park, which is the reverse of the trends at our other parks, means that it is not commercially viable to continue beyond the end of the current lease.’

Heritage Open Days allow visitors free access to properties that normally charge an entrance fee or are not usually open to the public.

The event starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday September 13.

Hundreds of attractions and properties in the North West are taking part. For more details visit the official Heritage Open Days website.

Highlights include:

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Furness Abbey (more…)

Visitors looking for a cheap place to stay in North West England next year (or indeed the rest of the UK, Ireland or Spain) should take note that Travelodge today launched an amazing offer on budget rooms.

The budget hotel chain is offering 50,000 rooms at only £12. The rate applies for stays between January 1 and April 1 2010. Rooms are also available from £19 (book 21 days ahead) and from £29 (book 7 days ahead).

To take advantage of this amazing offer, visit this page on their website.

Around 20 people have been injured in an accident at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Two carriages on the Big Dipper collided with each other around 1 hour ago (8 pm). The accident happened when the carriages were approximately 6m from the ground.

Specialist teams from the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service brought the riders to safety. Most injuries are believed to be superficial.