Blackpool Heritage Tram Benches

Two new benches inspired by Blackpool’s Heritage Trams have been installed in the town centre.

Artist Andy Hazell came up with the designs for the stainless steel benches after a visit to Blackpool Transport’s Rigby Road depot.
 
Taking inspiration from Blackpool’s rich tram heritage, Andy created four unique designs for the new benches, and two of these have now been installed in Talbot Square.
 
Made from stainless steel, the benches depict a Blackpool ‘OMO’ built in the mid-1930s and the ‘Brush’ built originally in 1937.
 
The final two benches will be installed once the new Tram Terminal Interchange has been built at North Station.
 
The tram benches are the latest addition to Blackpool’s town centre improvement works. Despite being in a national lockdown, the council remain committed to delivering a better Blackpool for all.
 
The project is part of the ongoing regeneration plans to make the town centre more attractive to shoppers, residents and investors with 100% of the funding coming to Blackpool from a grant through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership under its Growth Deal.
 
Whilst it’s hoped that people will appreciate the new addition to Talbot Road, social distancing in the town remains vitally important and it’s therefore essential that everyone follows the government guidelines.
 
Many local families will be familiar with Andy’s much-loved Save Our Stories rescue ship that has visited Wordpool Family Day at Stanley Park and many local schools over the past few years.
 
The artist’s latest works celebrate the remarkable history of the town’s tramway.
 
Blackpool can proudly boast at having not only the oldest electric tramway in the UK but the only one to have been continually in use for 135 years and counting.
 
The 11-mile tramway runs from Starr Gate in Blackpool up to Fleetwood Ferry, operating a service every ten minutes during the summer season.
 
The plans to create an integrated transport network with trams running all the way to Blackpool North Station will provide direct services from North Station to the north and south of the town.
 
The tramway extension will support the continued development and regeneration of the Talbot Gateway area, as well as providing benefits to commuters and visitors travelling to and from the town centre.
 
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture, said: “These unique benches are a wonderful addition to Talbot Road and celebrate our special tram heritage. People will be able to take a seat and watch the latest trams go by as they turn off the Promenade and up Talbot Road.
 
“This exciting project is all part of the council’s plan to revive the town centre and deliver a better Blackpool for everyone.”