blackpool haz cultural programme
Blackpool
WHAT IS THE HAZ? Blackpool’s Heritage Action Zone project is a partnership
between Blackpool Council and Historic England. The project is aimed at using
Blackpool’s heritage as a catalyst for bringing new and diverse uses to the town
centre and giving a new relevance for both local communities and visitors alike.
There are two different areas of focus in the project. FOCUS 1 The first is
centred on historic buildings and how heritage can be used to improve the look
and feel of the high street by restoring and enhancing historic buildings. This
element builds on recent improvements in Topping Street, Edward Street and
Deansgate in restoring buildings and their commercial frontages. The biggest
focus of this part of the scheme is the Church Street Frontage of the Winter
Gardens, where work to restore the Victorian commercial frontages to Empress
Buildings has already begun. Other projects include the conversion of an Art
Deco building on Topping Street to provide a community creative hub and
converting part of the former Black’s building on Edward Street into live/work
units where local artists and creatives can rent studio and retail space with
living accommodation above. FOCUS 2 The second area is the implementation of a
cultural programme and this is specifically to bring new activity to the high
street and to engage local communities in creative activity. This programme is
already working on delivering a regular market for local creatives and artists
and setting up taster workshops for local people to try out different creative
activities. Future work will look at performance, film and creative workshops as
well as talks and tours focused on heritage and the past, present and future of
Blackpool’s town centre. THE ZONE Blackpool’s High Street Heritage Action Zone
is focused on a section of Church Street containing impressive groups of mid to
late 19th Century public and commercial buildings and a wealth of incredibly
diverse heritage assets some of which are of national and regional significance.
The Grand Theatre and the Blackpool Winter Gardens and the areas around them
form the main focus of this project. It also includes Cedar Square and parts of
Edward Street, Topping Street and Deansgate. The historic built environment in
Blackpool and in the identified HAZ area has been recognised as having
significant economic benefits not just in terms of retail or visitor economy but
through the potential to impact on the quality of life for local residents and
the quality of experience for our visitors. The quality of the historic built
environment within the proposed Blackpool HAZ promotes ‘civic pride’ acting as a
reminder of how Blackpool has evolved historically.
