Blackpool Skyline Sand Drawing 17 May 2021 by Visit Blackpool BLACKPOOL’S BACK WITH A GIANT DRAWING IN THE SAND! Blackpool celebrated the full reopening of its tourism industry today with the creation of a giant artwork on the beach. The 70-metre long sand drawing depicted the resort’s iconic skyline featuring The Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach and the Big Wheel on Central Pier. It took a team of four sand artists almost six hours to complete on a stretch of beach along the famous Golden Mile before it was eventually washed away by the tide. Created by painstakingly raking wet sand, it is one of the largest pieces of sand art ever created in Blackpool. The process is described by the four artists from the Sand In Your Eye company as nature’s equivalent to a giant Etch A Sketch! The artwork, which was captured for posterity by a drone camera, was created on the day that Blackpool’s indoor attractions, hotels and guesthouses, show venues, and indoor hospitality were finally allowed to reopen in Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap. It means for the first time in months the resort can promote a fully-fledged offer to visitors. Jamie Wardley from Sand In Your Eye said: “The UK has had such a challenging time during the pandemic and particularly resorts like Blackpool where tourism is so important. “So we are delighted to draw in the sand one of Britain’s most iconic skylines to announce that Blackpool is back”. Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “We are thrilled that our tourism businesses can get back to doing what they do best – providing fun and entertainment to millions of people. “The last 15 months have been incredibly difficult but finally we can tell the world that we are back in business. It is fitting that this particular piece of promotional activity took place on one of the four beaches that just a few days ago were presented with Seaside Awards for water quality and beach management.” Today’s easing of restrictions means that major indoor attractions such as The Blackpool Tower & Circus, Sandcastle Waterpark, Coral Island, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds and the Winter Gardens can reopen well ahead of the next Bank Holiday at the end of the month. Hundreds of hotels and guesthouses, including the brand new Premier Inn North Pier which has been built on the site of the historic Yates’s Wine Lodge site in Talbot Square, can also open to overnight visitors, Last month, the first phase of easing of lockdown restrictions allowed for the reopening of self-catering accommodation and outdoor hospitality and attractions including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Zoo and the three piers. Blackpool Council has already declared that it will support the reopening and recovery of the resort’s tourism industry with a £1m package of support including a two-month extension to the traditional Illuminations season (until January 3, 2022), as well as additional events and destination marketing. The support package is intended to give businesses an opportunity to recoup some of the losses they have already incurred this year with the national lockdown wiping out the lucrative Easter period. Take a look at how you can make the most of your trip including opening times, booking details and COVID-safe advice over on our Ready and Waiting Guide.