Politics

Tourism minister Stephanie Peacock visits Blackpool with MP Chris Webb. She is pictured with Chris Webb MP and Kate Shane MBE from Blackpool Tourism Ltd

'What a summer' - Minister praise for City of Culture shortlisting

A panel of experts debated the merits of a mayor for Lancashire at an event in Preston

Lancashire would 'probably quite like the idea of an elected mayor’ if asked

United Reformed Church on Rossall Road in Cleveleys

'Such a shame'- Residents on plans to turn church into supermarket

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has declared ‘no one can beat Blackpool’ after the seaside resort was named one of four places shortlisted to become UK City of Culture 2029.

MP bullish on City of Culture odds despite Wrexham threat

Stanley Park is one of Blackpool’s most cherished public spaces.

Plans to improve Stanley Park for residents and hire new park ranger

A rolling closure at the junction forms part of the wider gas mains replacement programme around Newton Drive. Scheduled until October 30.

All of the major Blackpool roadworks starting & continuing next week

New proposals have emerged for a designated motorhome park on the Blackpool Central site, with those backing the plans saying it would provide a ‘massive boost’ for the town’s tourism.

Plans for motorhome park on site earmarked for new 20,000-seater arena

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, yesterday thanked all of Lancashire’s MPs for backing the bid as well as the hard work of Blackpool Council leader Councillor Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council’s Head of Strategy, Data and Corporate Development Scott Butterfield, council officers and Creative Blackpool in making the bid possible.

Blackpool congratulated in Parliament over City of Culture shortlist

Fylde Council has ruled out a legal challenge to the decision to grant permission for the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms Transmission Assets.

Update on legal challenge to controversial Fylde coast wind farm call

A se anar

Major MP praise for Fylde coast Indian restaurant after awards success

The very best coaches, volunteers, clubs and schools from across Fylde have been recognised in the shortlist for the 2026 Fylde Community Sports Awards.

Fylde Community Sports Award shortlist - see if your club is involved

Andrew Snowden has re-backed Blackpool's bid.

'Very best of luck'- MP backs Blackpool for City of Culture

Tour de France in Lancashire: the exact route the race will take at a glance

Blackpool could get more CCTV cameras

Council update as new CCTV being installed on Anchorsholme prom

Update on the new MOD building site at Talbot Gateway

18 fantastic images of new £45m Ministry of Defence HQ in town centre

United Reformed Church on Rossall Road in Cleveleys

Update on controversial plans to demolish church for new store
“We recommend that the developer works to save and re-model the church buildings.”
Richard Hunt

Blackpool will use its rich history and heritage as a “force for positive change”, under a new Heritage Investment Strategy for the town. Pictured is Blackpool's iconic Winter Gardens

Blackpool to use its rich heritage as a 'force for positive change'

Blackpool's Stanley Park celebrates turning 100 in style with a grand drone show

Blackpool the place the UK comes to play - City of Culture bid detail

Welcoming the news Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams said making the shortlist would enable the resort “to show the country exactly what our town is made of” and prove to the rest of the UK “there is nowhere quite like Blackpool”.

Blackpool has so much to be proud of, I’m glad we believed in our town

Leaders have described Blackpool making the final four destinations for City of Culture 2029 as a “landmark moment” that will help “reframe people’s expectations of the resort”

'This is our chance to show the country what Blackpool is capable of'

Blackpool makes City of Culture 2029 shortlist and is in running for £10M prize

Nowhere quite like Blackpool - Resort shortlisted for City of Culture

Blackpool has officially been shortlisted for the City of Culture 2029, with countless leading figures in the town backing the bid alongside a raft of celebrities.

41 famous faces who have backed Blackpool for City of Culture 2029

Blackpool has today been named in the final four for the UK City of Culture 2029. Alongside Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham, the resort is now in the running for the prestigious title that will unlock significant benefits for the local communities, such as increased investment, more access to cultural activities, and job creation.

23 huge cultural reasons why Blackpool should win £10m City of Culture

TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has described Blackpool potentially becoming UK City of Culture 2029 as “the most extraordinary accolade”, while singer Toyah Wilcox has called the seaside resort “a gem within the UK”.

I want the UK to wake up to just how special Blackpool really is

Commuters in Blackpool were greeted by a familiar sight this morning as the illuminated Western Train returned to the Promenade ahead of the start of Lightpool Festival 2026.

Historic heritage trams return to Prom as Lightpool Festival begins

The owners of a Fylde coast farm want to convert one of their barns into a new gym and fitness centre.

Ambitious plans to turn farm barn into gym on Fylde coast are revealed

Lancashire County Council is taking legal steps in the face of uncertainty over local government reorganisation

Lancs makes court bid and referendum call as government stays silent on overhaul
The authority wants to ensure it does not lose its right to legally contest the government’s planned shake-up of local councils.
Paul Faulkner

Photos taken inside the centre show the progress of the renovations.

Changing rooms demolished at Fylde coast gym as major refurb continues

The Metropole, the only Blackpool hotel on the sea side of the tram tracks.

Update on future of Metropole Hotel used to house asylum seekers

Blackpool Council has issued an update on plans for the former Abingdon Street Post Office after securing £850,000 in funding to protect the landmark building amid major plans to turn it into a new creative and arts space.

Update on new plans for future of landmark Abingdon Street Post Office

The launch of Op Holcroft - a new campaign to stamp out misogyny in football across Lancashire. Pictured at Bloomfield Road Stadium, Blackpool. Photo: Lucinda Herbert

New police operation backed by BFC to tackle misogyny in football

Staff and senior leader from children’s services celebrate their Ofsted rating with cabinet members Cllr Kath Benson, Cllr Lynn Williams, and Cllr Jim Hobson

Council children's service improvement plan despite Outstanding mark

The Regenda Group has planning permission to build 102 new homes in Fleetwood

Update on controversial plans for 102 new homes on Fylde coast

Blackpool Council’s leader has insisted the authority remains committed to returning the town’s heritage trams to service, as two of the historic vehicles prepare to go on public display during the Lightpool Festival.

Major update on future of heritage trams before Lightpool Festival

Andrew Snowden made his point on national TV

MP makes point on windfarm cabling route in heated national TV debate

Lorraine Beavers MP backs a new rail line between Poulton and Fleetwood

I know families are worried about what their kids will do after school

Lancashire County Council's Reform UK administration says the road network is much improved compared to earlier in the year - but opposition councillors are far from convinced

Potholes: claim of "fantastic" improvement met with scepticism amid stats spat

Cllr Paul Galley has launched an investigation following a fire, believed to have been started by children, which destroyed the children’s play ship at Anchorsholme Park. The children involved will face no further action

'Firebugs who destroyed park's playground are getting away with it'

Blackpool teachers are cracking down on bad behaviour as resort officially excludes the most kids in the UK

Teachers crackdown on bad behaviour as resort excludes most kids in UK

Blackpool is currently waiting with bated breath to find out it the resort has made the shortlist for the prestigious City of Culture 2029 award.

Blackpool waiting with bated breath for City of Culture 2029 shortlist

Wheelchair rugby player Myles Pearson shared his experiences to influence and improve adult social care delivery in Blackpool.

Wheelchair rugby player shares experience to improve adult social care

Helicopter view of Blackpool

'They’ve helped me to get back on track and keep a roof over my head'

Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, is bringing together local organisations for an Older Persons’ Fair offering advice, support, community activities and entertainment under one roof.

New Winter Gardens Older Persons’ Fair - everything you need to know

Fylde Council has updated their plans to return St Annes Boating Lake to its former glory.

Fylde Council release plans for St Annes Boating Lake return

The proposal includes an electric vehicle charging zone in the car park, with a canopy, substation, charging stations and associated electrical equipment.

All of the noteworthy plans lodged in Blackpool in the last 2 weeks

Stuart Wignall in front of the former Post Office building in Blackpool

I want to bring new community hub to iconic former Post Office

Demolition underway on Henry Street in Blackpool

Major update on controversial house demolition behind Blackpool FC

Around 250 children at five Blackpool primary schools are getting their first taste of ballet this week, free of charge, through workshops led by dancers from the Royal Ballet.

250 kids try free workshops in major Royal Ballet centenary project

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has declared the resort as the “clear winner” in the race for UK City of Culture 2029, urging the government to formally recognise the town’s cultural heritage, creative talent and community spirit with the title.

Let's show a different side to Blackpool, we should be City of Culture

The proposed site spans over 6 acres and would feature 302 homes.

'Build something useful instead!'- Residents react to 302-home plans

Blackpool Gazette readers have offered a wide range of ideas for what should be built on the Blackpool Central site.

Council update on hot-topic £300m Blackpool Central site development

More than 6.6 tonnes of food waste have been collected in the first three days of Fylde Council’s new weekly food waste collection service.

1 T-rex or 5 cars’ - Food waste collections top 6.6 tonnes in 3 days

Wyre Council is inviting expressions of interest from experienced hospitality operators to run a new café and restaurant at Marine Hall in Fleetwood, with the development scheduled to open in 2027.

Unique opportunity to run new café & restaurant - all you need to know

Map showing route of onshore cabling for Morgan and Morecambe windfarms

10 Fylde coast councils prepare challenge over £3bn wind farm approval

The former Abingdon Street Post Office building

Breaking Landmark Blackpool buildings awarded share of major new £1.5bn fund

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