Blackpool’s Heritage Tram Shed has been awarded a Heritage Plaque by The National Transport Trust.

Blackpool’s Heritage Tram Shed has been awarded a Heritage Plaque by The National Transport Trust.

Blackpool’s Rigby Road Tram Shed has been awarded a heritage plaque by the National Transport Trust to recognise the historic significance of this industrial heritage building in the heart of Blackpool.

The Blackpool Heritage Tram Shed is a purpose-built tram shed, constructed in 1935 as part of the Blackpool Corporation Transport Department's five-year modernisation plan (1933-1938). It housed many of the modern streamline tram fleet delivered to Blackpool between 1934 and 1939, many of which are remarkably still housed, maintained, and operated from there.

When completed, the shed was capable of housing approximately 120 trams and is now the last operational first-generation tram depot in the United Kingdom. It is also one of only three tram depots in the world that operate double deck trams on a mainline tramway.

The tram shed was originally known as Kirby Hall since it was designed as a dual-purpose building. An entrance was provided to house trade exhibitions at the rear half of Kirby Road in the early days, but this use of the shed was relatively short-lived.

Now known as Tramtown, it is from here that the iconic Blackpool heritage trams operate under the Heritage Tram Tours brand and where regular depot tours take place. Cllr Paul Galley, Chair of Blackpool Transport’s Board stated, “We have recently secured £800,000 of funding to undertake the first phase of a five-to-seven-year redevelopment plan to restore the building and introduce a dynamic new heritage visitor attraction to Blackpool by converting a third of the building into an exhibition hall, so this award is opportunely timed.”

Jerry Swift, Deputy Chairman of the National Transport Trust proudly announced, “The National Transport Trust, established in 1965, is the only national body that promotes and encourages the preservation and restoration of Britain’s transport heritage in all its forms, road, rail, wings and water. Our red plaque initiative is a national scheme of marking key locations around the UK which have significant historical value to British transport heritage, and we considered that Blackpool’s Rigby Road Tram Shed met all our aspirations in this regard.”

Bryan Lindop, Blackpool Transport Head of Heritage commented, “The national recognition of the historic status of this building means a lot to us, because it firmly cements our faith in retaining and restoring it. It has always been overshadowed by its iconic and scene-stealing contents, but it is a significant piece of heritage in its own right and a rare survivor. I am grateful to the National Transport Trust for this significant award and to Paul Maynard MP not only for suggesting it, but for kindly agreeing to unveil the plaque for us, ably supported by Scott Benton MP”.

The plaque unveiling took place today, Friday 10th March, at 14.00 hours.

To find out more about our history visit: https://blackpoolheritage.com/