Blackpool News Have your say on the future of Blackpool 9 June 2020 by Visit Blackpool The public is being invited to help shape Blackpool’s future. The resort is one of 101 towns across the country in line for a new ‘Town Deal’ with a significant investment of up to £25m in each place as part of the £3.6 billion Towns Fund. Now Blackpool Council, on behalf of the Blackpool Town Deal Board, is inviting local residents, businesses and visitors to the town to have their say on how the money will be used. The Towns Fund is a new Government funding scheme providing an opportunity for a better Blackpool, to benefit from significant investment and is aimed at strengthening the local economy and revitalising the town as it builds for the future post Covid-19. This funding will help to increase economic growth with a focus on regeneration, improved transport, better broadband connectivity, skills and culture. The Council is developing a Blackpool Town Investment Plan (BTIP) with the Blackpool Town Deal Board which will present a vision for the town and describe how it will be achieved. As part of this, we want to hear from local residents, businesses and visitors about where they live, work and play and all comments and responses will be used to develop the Town’s Investment Plan. The plan will look at: Physical improvements to the town and how to use land in the best possible way Revitalising Blackpool’s visitor economy and retail offer Transport improvements to increase connectivity Developing skills and supporting new business Ensuring that the needs of Blackpool as a tourist destination is balanced with the needs of its community By visiting Have Your Say participants can view an interactive map of the town and make comments on areas that are important to them. They will also be able to comment on proposals under five specific themes for Blackpool which are: Place – housing and as a place to live Economy & Enterprise - as a place to work, for businesses to become established and grow and for tourists to visit Skills & Education - as a place to develop the skills, experiences and qualifications for a successful career Communities & Health - health services and community assets and the organisations and services that help residents to remain happy and healthy Infrastructure & The Environment - transport and communications infrastructure and street scene In addition to leaving comments, participants will also be able to sign up to take part in more in-depth research by telephone interviews if they would like to become more involved. Executive Leader of Blackpool Council Cllr Simon Blackburn said: “The Town Deal is a once in a generation opportunity to secure major investment for our town, to tackle some of the challenges we face, to build on our strengths and to help us in our economic recovery from the damaging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. “To secure a Town Deal for Blackpool would be transformational for our community so it is important that as many people as possible, whether they live here or just like to visit, get a chance to have their say on how Blackpool should look in the future. “The Town Deal Board has some great ideas but we would really like the thoughts of our community, how they think the town can be improved, what makes Blackpool special and what people are passionate about. Any suggestions, however small or crazy they might be, will all be counted. We are also asking the Blackpool community to encourage family, friends and neighbours to do the same.” The site will be live until the end of June. For more information about how we are already making Blackpool better and for further information on the wider regeneration projects already taking place in Blackpool or to register for free updates visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/BetterBlackpool