Blackpool’s Plans to Upgrade Coach Facilities

“Tell us what you think of Blackpool’s coach facilities” – that’s the callout to coach tour operators and drivers as tourism bosses look to make improvements.

VisitBlackpool bosses are keen to make improvements to the resort’s coach facilities.

But rather than guessing, they are urging coach drivers and tour operators to complete a survey saying what they think of the current facilities and to make suggestions about what they would like to see.

Blackpool welcomes in excess of a million visitors by coach every year but it’s a few years since there has been any major investment in the facilities available to drivers.

To complete the survey go to: www.visitblackpool.com/travelsurvey

VisitBlackpool Tourism Manager Mandy Tythe-McCallum said: “We recognise there is room for improvement of the facilities we provide for the many thousands of coach drivers who come to Blackpool every year, and what better way to improve those facilities than by asking the people that matter, the coach operators and the coach drivers.

“To ensure we get it right it is essential that as many drivers and operators as possible complete our survey so we get a snapshot of what is required.

“It’s in Blackpool’s interests to listen to what’s being said and work with the people that matter to ensure we improve our facilities.

“It is vital that everyone who comes to Blackpool has a great time. If that person is a coach driver who is going to be sitting all day waiting for his or her passengers to return then we need to ensure we provide the best facilities for them.”

VisitBlackpool is working with Blackpool Council’s Planning and Transportation Department to seek funding for improvements once firm plans are put in place.

It is expected this could include a driver’s room and rest area, better parking and better passenger shelters.

Mandy added: “We want the industry to understand that we are trying to do something but that we need their help to take it forward. We can then use the results of the survey when bidding for funding so we can get better facilities for the long-term.

“There are short-term changes we can make and there will be some improvements made over the next few weeks but we have to make long-term improvements and create better facilities as this will encourage more drivers and operators to bring their coaches to Blackpool.”

Anyone entering the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win an Apple iPad Mini tablet.

Draw entries open on Friday April 11 and close on Saturday May 31 2014. The winner will be notified by email no later than June 15.

The draw is open to owner drivers and driving and operational staff working for coach operators. One entry per person.

To complete the survey go to: www.visitblackpool.com/travelsurvey