12 October 2006

Designers offered 'Once in lifetime opportunity'

A unique opportunity to redesign the seafront of Britain's most famous seaside resort has been launched today in Blackpool. 

ReBlackpool, the town's urban regeneration company has invited professional design teams with a track-record in creative place-making to prepare a vision for the rebuilding of the town's sea walls and the construction of six new headlands, creating a major new public recreation space. The project has been dubbed the 'Peoples Playground'.

The initiative comes after ReBlackpool was successfully awarded a £250,000 development grant by the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks committee to plan the sea front re-development.

Following initial expressions of interest, designers will be asked to submit proposals setting out their ideas for the transformation of the seafront. The design team appointed will be required to work with the local community to decide what should go on the new headlands, each of which is larger than a football pitch.

'We want design teams to inspire the area and create a magical experience that will engage all generations of local residents and visitors. We're really encouraged by the interest and excitement shown so far by design teams. They know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity' said Doug Garrett, ReBlackpool's Chief Executive.

'We are determined that Blackpool's renaissance will be characterised by the highest quality of design. This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals or groups to create a sea front which captures the imagination of both visitors and residents. I know local people will be excited to see what the design teams propose and we'll be involving the community throughout the process' said Cllr Eddie Collett, Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Regeneration. 

The Peoples Playground project aims to:

• Transform Blackpool's central seafront into a year round urban park where local residents can mix with visitors and have fun; actively participate in healthy exercise; and choose both to learn and to tell others about Blackpool's amazing natural environment and fascinating social heritage.
• Create a mythical playground for children and adults that has universal appeal.
• Optimise the use made of the beach and rethink and re-present illumination.
• Give Blackpool's next generation at school and in business a genuine opportunity to influence the formative thoughts and ideas of world class, professional designers and become directly involved in the evolution of their new seafront;
• Regain for Blackpool and its people the pioneering spirit, and collective achievement and pride of its Victorian creators.

Design teams must express interest in the project by November 2006, before short listing takes place in December. A public exhibition will then take place in January with the winning vision(s) chosen by a selection panel made up of representatives from ReBlackpool, the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Arts Council England, local businesses and community organisations. The successful team(s) will then be asked to develop their proposals more formally in early 2007.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:
'The People's Playground project presents a fantastic opportunity to create something truly innovative and unique for Blackpool that will enhance its world famous seafront and significantly boost the resort's reputation as an international tourist destination'.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:
ReBlackpool, Blackpool's Urban Regeneration Company, is the body charged with delivering the master plan proposal's that will transform the UK's premier coastal resort over the next ten years.  The master plan has been developed to bring about radical economic and social regeneration; transforming Blackpool into a quality, world class visitor destination that is a great place to visit and a better place to live.

Working closely with the North West Regional Development Agency and Blackpool Council, ReBlackpool's vision is to create a year-round economy that delivers a totality of experience focused around quality at all levels and at all scales in product, environment and service. The imperative is to deliver a range of world-class facilities that responds to the dynamics of the leisure market, while delivering unparalleled economic and social improvements to the residents of Blackpool.

The Masterplan aims to transform the town through an innovative programme of regeneration, designed to rebuild the seafront, provide new tram infrastructure, release key town centre and seafront sites for development, and win the UK's only regional casino licence. 

The Big Lottery Fund is the joint operating name of the New Opportunities Fund and the National Lottery Charities Board (which made grants under the name of the Community Fund).  The Big Lottery Fund, launched on 1 June 2004, is distributing half of all National Lottery good cause funding across the UK.

The Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks Programme will award £140 million across the UK to initiatives that have been designed to inspire communities to transfer, revitalise and regenerate the places where they live, through social and community projects and major infrastructure investments.

Further information:

Kate Staley, ReBlackpool
07920 807 047
kate@reblackpool.co.uk

Caroline Hanlon, LLM Communications
07946 632 629
caroline@llm.co.uk

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Public Enquiries Line: 0854 102030
Out of hours: 07867 500 572
Textphone: 08456 021659

Further details about the People's Playground are available at http://www.thepeoplesplayground.com/ 

Full details of the Big Lottery Fund Projects and grant awards are available at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.