Promotion Boosts Blackpool's Premier League Business Tourism Venues

4th August 2010

Blackpool FC’s promotion to the Premier League was paying dividends for the region’s business tourism and conference venues almost as soon as the final whistle blew at Wembley on May 22.

The national publicity which surrounded the team’s victory put the town and the surrounding area into the spotlight and encouraged companies and conference organisers from across the country to look again at what it has to offer.

Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings (LBCM), a joint initiative of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board and visitBlackpool, already deals with 3.5million business visitors a year.

However, the football team’s promotion has provided an additional boost to an area which had already recorded a 17 per cent rise in corporate inquiries from the start of this year, compared to the same period in 2009.

“Blackpool FC’s promotion is a huge fillip for Blackpool and the whole of the Fylde Coast," said Tony Openshaw, Director of Marketing at Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board.

"Interest from companies started almost as soon as the final whistle was blown, so they could secure corporate hospitality, accommodation and meeting rooms first. Blackpool offers a new venue on the Premiership circuit this season with business people wanting to tie in meetings with a visit to the Premiership's newest club."

Natalie Wyatt, Head of visitBlackpool, said: “Since the play-off final we’ve seen a rise in the number of corporate enquiries, with people inquiring about meeting either the day before a game or earlier in the day followed by the match.”

Since the Wembley victory, the football club itself is also gearing up to cater for the increase in business tourism.

The upper three floors of the club’s Jimmy Armfield South Stand are to be fitted out, creating 60 hotel rooms, with many looking out onto the pitch, and three hospitality and conference/meeting areas.

Blackpool FC chairman Karl Oyston said the developments will: "Bring massive value into the town".

The prospect of Premier League football at Bloomfield Road has added to the unique teambuilding opportunities already on offer in Blackpool, with delegates and meetings organisers keen to add a match to experiences such as ballroom dancing in the Tower Ballroom or a trip to the Pleasure Beach, which can become part of their event or conference.

Tony Openshaw said: “We were already asking conference organisers to take a fresh look at the resort. Blackpool’s promotion has given this an extra dimension.”

Even before the play-off final, Blackpool was buzzing with new investment, following Blackpool Council’s multi-million pound purchase of Blackpool Tower, the Winter Gardens and the Golden Mile Centre from Leisure Parcs in March.

The Grade II-listed Winter Gardens will undergo a first phase refurbishment and upgrading programme to create a new multi-purpose conferencing venue for events and functions.

Plans for the refurbishment and restoration of the Blackpool Tower and Louis Tussauds Waxworks have been praised by the council.

Leisure operator Merlin Entertainments, which takes over the running of Blackpool Tower and Louis Tussauds Waxworks in November, has unveiled proposals to rejuvenate both attractions.

They include transforming Louis Tussauds waxworks into the only Madame Tussauds outside of London and new attractions at the Tower, including dungeons and a 4D cinema experience.

For further information on conference organising, please contact Lancashire & Blackpool Conferences & Meetings on 0845 371 4453/4 or e-mail: enquiries@lancashireandblackpoolconference.com or visit www.lancashireandblackpoolconference.com

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