It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It’s green, it’s 40ft tall and it’s very, very sparkly! 

Introducing Blackpool’s new Christmas tree which has been unveiled along with hundreds of icicle lights around the town centre streets. 
 
The new festive lighting display, designed by the Illuminations team, was launched to coincide with the reopening of non-essential retail in a joint scheme funded by Blackpool Council and the Town Centre BID company.  
 
The lights are displayed across Bank Hey Street, Victoria Street, Church Street, Clifton Street and Abingdon Street with the giant tree taking pride of place in St John’s Square opposite the Winter Gardens. There is a second tree installed outside the Council offices at Bickerstaffe Square. 
 
The display will remain in place until January 3 as town centre retailers look to recoup some of the losses incurred by pandemic restrictions. 
 
Over the same period, shoppers will be able to park for up to three hours for just a pound on most Council car parks using the new PayByPhone app. All users need to do is download the PayByPhone app and register, or call 0800 546 0609.  
 
Three-hour sessions are limited to one per day after which normal tariffs apply. Tower Street, Filey Place and Talbot Multi-Storey car parks are not included in the offer.  
 
Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Job Creation, said: “We want our residents to shop local this Christmas to support retailers in what has been an extremely difficult year. 
 
“We hope that the investment in the new festive lighting display and the discounted parking offer will encourage people to do exactly that.” 
 
Michael Williams, chair of the Town Centre BID, which has co-funded the town centre Christmas campaign, added: “This is one of the most spectacular town centre lighting displays in years and the tree in St John’s Square is magnificent. 
 
“We are determined to support our retailers as much as we possibly can in this crucial trading period and there is every reason for local people to stay local and enjoy the festive atmosphere.” 
 
With footfall expected to rise significantly during the run-up to Christmas, the Council is urging people to follow all COVID rules around social distancing and wearing of face coverings when they go into shops and stores. 
 
It is also encouraging people to avoid busy times to avoid queues and take advantage of extended opening hours where possible. A team of COVID-safe marshals will be deployed in and around the town centre to help ensure that businesses and shoppers are following all necessary regulations.