08 December 2006

Redesign of Britain's most famous seafront moves closer

The redesign of Britain's most famous seafront moved a step closer this week when ReBlackpool, Blackpool's Urban Regeneration Company, short listed and then held the initial briefing for design teams.

Following initial expressions of interest, ReBlackpool has shortlisted the seven design teams. They are Edaw; FAT; Fluid; Gensler; Nio; LDA Design; and Studio BAAD.

Short listed design teams will now be required to prepare their design concepts for the headlands currently being constructed which are part of the overall redevelopment of the Blackpool seafront and sea defences. The design teams involved with the project, which is being dubbed 'The People's Playground', have until January 22 2007 to submit their proposals, which will be followed by a public exhibition of all the designs.

The winning design team will be announced in February 2007 and will be selected by ReBlackpool, assisted by a panel comprising the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Blackpool Council, the Arts Council for England, independent design advisors and local consultee groups.

The final submission for funding to the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks Committee will be made in May 2007 and will comprise detailed designs and costings from the winning team/s. The final decision as to whether the People's Playground project receives additional funding to work further on these designs and eventually implement them is expected in October 2007.

Commenting, Doug Garrett, ReBlackpool's Chief Executive, said:

'We were very pleased by the level of initial interest shown in the Peoples Playground initiative and the fact that we now have a short list made up of such high calibre designers. Now for the exciting part, as design teams embark on the creation of a bold and exciting vision for the sea front. We'll be looking for proposals which really recognise the potential here and bring to life our ambition to transform Blackpool's central seafront into a year round urban park. When we launched this process we said it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for design teams and I have every confidence that the teams we have short listed will rise to that challenge'.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said:

"Blackpool's seafront is its most famous asset and its transformation will play a key role in the resort's ongoing renaissance. This initiative offers a real opportunity to create something truly innovative and unique for Blackpool which will significantly boost its appeal as an international visitor destination and I am confident that we will see an incredibly high standard of designs from the shortlisted teams."

-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 Northwest 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 People's 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

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.

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
01253478928
07920 807 047
kate@reblackpool.co.uk

Caroline Hanlon, LLM Communications
020 7269 7269
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.