Blackpool

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This article is about the town in England. For other uses of the name, see Blackpool (disambiguation).

**Blackpool**
Shown within England
Geography
Status	Borough, Unitary Authority (1998)
Ceremonial county	Lancashire
Historic county	Lancashire
Region	North West England
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Area - Total	Ranked 330th 34.92 km²
Admin HQ	Blackpool
ISO 3166-2	GB-BPL
ONS code	00EY
OS grid reference	SD305365
Coordinates	53°81N 3°05W
NUTS 3	UKD42
Demographics
Population: Total (2005 est.) Density	Ranked 119th 142,900 4,092 / km²
Ethnicity (2001 census)	98.4% White
Politics
Blackpool Council http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/
Leadership	Leader & Cabinet
Control	Labour

Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, in the north west of England. Lying along the coast of the Irish Sea, it is fifteen miles (25 km) west from the city of Preston, and has a population of 142,900.

Blackpool rose to prominence as a major centre of tourism during the 19th century, particularly for the inhabitants of northern mill towns.

1 Geography and administration
2 History
- 2.1 Etymology
- 2.2 Early history
3 Economy
- 3.1 Non-tourist industry
4 Tourism
5 Landmarks & places of interest
- 5.1 Major attractions
- 5.2 Other attractions
6 Transport
7 Filmography
8 Media
9 Sport
10 Areas, Districts & Estates
11 Notable residents
12 Twin town
13 Gallery of images
14 References
15 External links

[edit] Geography and administration

The town boundaries of Blackpool are drawn very tightly, and exclude the nearby settlements of Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Anne's. Blackpool Borough, unlike its neighbours, is almost completely urbanised.

Between 1894 and 1974, Blackpool was its own independent county borough unit within the administrative county of Lancashire. With the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, Blackpool's independent status was abolished and it was made part of the shire county of Lancashire. On April 1, 1998, however, Blackpool was made an independent unitary authority and reformed as an autonomous local government unit. It remains part of Lancashire for ceremonial purposes however.

[edit] History

[edit] Etymology

Blackpool is believed to get its name from a long gone drainage channel which ran over a peat bog.[5] The water which ran into the sea at Blackpool was black from the peat and formed a "black pool" in waters of the Irish Sea (In Irish, Black Pool is Dubh Linn, which in turn became Dublin). Locally people originating from Blackpool are called "Sand Grown" or "Sandgrown'uns".

[edit] Early history

A skeleton found with barbed arrowheads near Blackpool Sixth Form College in 1970 provided the first evidence of humans living on The Fylde, some 11,000 years ago. The Fylde was also home to a British tribe, The Brigantes, who from about 80AD were controlled by The Romans from their fort at Dowbridge, Kirkham.

Some of the earliest villages on The Fylde, which were later to become part of Blackpool, were named in the Domesday Book in 1086. Many of them were Anglo-Saxon settlements. Some though were 9th and 10th century Viking place names. The Vikings and Anglo Saxons seem to have co-existed peacefully with some Anglo Saxon and Viking place names later being joined together - such as Layton-with-Warbreck and Bispham-with-Norbreck. Layton was controlled by the Butlers, Barons of Warrington from the 12th century.

In medieval times Black Poole emerged as a few farmsteads on the coast within Layton-with-Warbreck. The name coming from "le pull" which was a stream that drained Marton Mere and Marton Moss into the sea close to what is now Manchester Square. The stream ran through peat lands which discoloured the water, and so the name for the area became Black Poole. In the 15th century the area was just called Pul. And a 1532 map calls the area "the pole howsys alias the north howsys”.

In 1602, entries in Bispham Parish Church baptismal register include both Poole and for the first time blackpoole. The first house of any substance, Foxhall, was built toward the end of the 17th century by Edward Tyldesley, the Squire of Myerscough, and son of the Royalist, Sir Thomas Tyldesley. An Act of Parliament in 1767 enclosed a common, mostly Sand Hills on the coast, that stretched from Spen Dyke southward. And plots of the land were allocated to landowners in Bispham, Layton, Great Marton and Little Marton. The same Act also provided for the layout of a number of long straight roads that would be built such as Lytham Road, St.Annes Road and Highfield Road.^[1]

[edit] Economy

This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Blackpool at current basic prices by the Office for National Statistics with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.^[2]

Year	Regional Gross Value Added^[3]	Agriculture^[4]	Industry^[5]	Services^[6]
1995	1,276	9	276	992
2000	1,444	1	210	1,234
2003	1,598	1	220	1,377

[edit] Non-tourist industry

Major employers include:

The government-owned National Savings and Investments, based at Marton, together with their random number generating computer ERNIE which picks the Premium Bond numbers.
Other government agencies are based at Warbreck and Norcross.
The sports car manufacturer TVR. However, TVR has recently announced that it is moving production away from Blackpool to another European location.^[7] (Blackpool was also the original site of Swallow Sidecar Company forerunner of Jaguar Cars.)
Burtons Foods, producing biscuits and other bakery products.
Arvin Meritor, which manufactures automotive components.
The Glasdon Group, known for its plastic products including litter bins, park benches and reflective road signs.

Many Blackpool residents work in the retail sector, either in the town centre or the retail parks on the edge of town.

[edit] Tourism

Blackpool is heavily dependent on tourism. In what is often regarded as its heyday (1900-1950), Blackpool thrived as the factory workers of northern England took their annual holidays there en masse. Any photograph from that era shows crowds of tourists on the beach and promenade. Blackpool was also a preferred destination of visitors from Glasgow and remains so to this day[6]. Reputedly, the town still has more hotel beds than the whole of Portugal.^[8] The town went into decline when cheap air travel arrived in the 1960s and the same workers decamped to the Mediterranean coast resorts due to competitive prices and the more reliable weather. Today Blackpool remains the most popular seaside resort in the UK, however the town has suffered a serious drop in numbers of visitors which has fallen from 17 million in 1992 to 10 million today.^[9] Similarly Blackpool Pleasure Beach remains the country's most popular free attraction with 6 million visitors a year but has lost over a million visitors since 1998.^[10] Today, many visitors stay for the weekend rather than for a week at a time.

The Tower and Illuminations

[edit] Conferences

Outside the main holiday season, Blackpool's Winter Gardens routinely hosts major political and trade union conferences, ranging from that of the Conservative Party and the TGWU with thousands of delegates and visitors, to substantially smaller gatherings such as the CWU or NUS conferences.

[edit] Entertainment

Blackpool remains a summer entertainment venue, specialising in variety shows featuring entertainers such as Ken Dodd.

[edit] Events & festivals

Blackpool Dance Festival is a world famous annual ballroom dance competition of international significance: home page

Blackpool Illuminations consisting of a series of lighted displays and collages arranged along the entire length of the sea front (11 km/7 miles), attract many visitors in September and October at a time when some resorts' holiday seasons have already ended. This results in some spectacular traffic snarl-ups as most people now view the lights from cars and coaches which crawl nose-to-tail along the whole length of the sea front, particularly so at weekends and during school holidays.

[edit] Gay Blackpool

Blackpool has gained renown as a lesbian and gay destination, (see Gay Blackpool) with clubs such as the Flamingo, Mardi Gras, the Flying Handbag pub, and many gay-run hotels and guest-houses [7], with some catering exclusively for the gay community. These tend to be inland, nearer to the railway station "Blackpool North" than to the sea. There is also the world famous drag cabaret burlesque show bar, Funny Girls, (who have performed on television and for royalty), alongside the Flamingo in the building that was formerly the Odeon Cinema; the building retains many of its Art Deco features.^[11]

[edit] Nightlife

A controversial aspect of Blackpool's night-life is its hen and stag parties. Brides- or bridegrooms-to-be and their friends, often dressed alike in absurd or risqué attire, roam the town's many bars and clubs getting increasingly drunk. Their rowdy behaviour is claimed to discourage family visitors and has led to complaints from hotel and guest house owners keen to attract a more upmarket clientele.^[12]

[edit] Future

Blackpool is continually striving to improve its position within today's tourist industry. One controversial proposal, which had the involvement of the local council, was to transform Blackpool into a casino resort along the lines of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, making it the centre point of gambling in the UK. This plan was dependent on the selection of Blackpool as the location of Britain's first "super-casino" following the slight liberalisation of Britain's gambling laws. Although Blackpool was the bookies' favourite to win the casino, Manchester was unexpectedly selected by the Government on January 30, 2007 for this role.^[13] Blackpool council claim their bid was misunderstood.

[edit] Landmarks & places of interest

Blackpool boasts some important landmarks, most of which appeared originally as part of the flourishing tourist industry.

Blackpool Tower, arguably the most iconic of Blackpool's landmarks.

Central Pier, Blackpool

Twin Climbing Towers, Blackpool Central

[edit] Major attractions

Blackpool Tower, opened in 1894 and has been a dominant landmark of the Blackpool skyline for well over a century. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower of Paris, France. It is 158 m (518 ft 9 in) tall. Beneath Blackpool Tower is a huge complex of leisure facilities, entertainment venues and restaurants, including is the world famous Tower Ballroom and Tower Circus.

Central Pier - The middle pier. It includes a large ferris wheel and shops.

North Pier - The northernmost of Blackpool's three piers. It includes a small shopping arcade, a small tramway and the North Pier Theatre at the end. The pier end also used to have a helicopter pad, but this was damaged in 1997 by a Christmas windstorm and collapsed into the Irish Sea.

Pleasure Beach Blackpool is a very famous theme park within Blackpool. Rides include the "The Pepsi Max Big One" which is the largest roller coaster in the theme park and one the largest in Britain.

South Pier - The southernmost pier. Almost directly opposite the Pleasure Beach, it houses a large theme park.

Winter Gardens is a large entertainment and conference venue in the town centre. Includes the Opera House (one of the largest theatres in Europe), Pavilion Theatre, Empress Ballroom, Spanish Hall, Arena and Olympia.

[edit] Other attractions

Beach - Stretching from the North Pier to the South Pier. The main natural attraction for tourists.

Funny Girls - World Famous Drag Cabaret Burlesque Showbar, located on the North Shore.

Blackpool Zoo - provides a home to over 1500 animals from all over the world.

Grand Theatre - Victorian theatre designed by Frank Matcham. Also now known as the National Theatre of Variety.

Great Promenade Show - Series of modern artwork installations along Blackpool's South Promenade. Includes the Blackpool High Tide Organ an unusual musical monument which uses the movements of the sea to make music.

Louis Tussard's Waxworks - Waxwork Museum, featuring models of celebrities, musicians, sports personalities and the famous Chamber of Horrors.

Sandcastle Waterworld - A indoor swimming pool with slides and waves. Next to the South Pier.

Stanley Park - Grade II Historic Park & Gardens with Golf Course, Cricket Club, Sports Arena, Lake, Art Deco Restaurant, Model Village, Gardens etc

[edit] Transport

[edit] Air

[edit] Airlines

Jet2

Ryanair

[edit] Airports

Blackpool International Airport operates regular charter and scheduled flights throughout the UK and Europe. The airport is actually just over the borough boundary into Fylde Borough, although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into Blackpool Borough. This airport which was formerly known as Blackpool Squires Gate Airport, is one of the oldest in the UK and has been in use as an airfield since 1909.

[edit] Former Airports

Blackpool Stanley Park Airport, was a former airport which existed on the land now used by Blackpool Zoo. The airport was closed down after it was decided that two airports were not required to serve Blackpool, leaving only Blackpool Squires Gate Airport now known as Blackpool International Airport. The airport hangars from the old airport are still in use, but now as the elephant enclosure for Blackpool Zoo.

[edit] Bus & Coach

[edit] Bus & Coach Operators

Blackpool Transport operates the main bus services in and around Blackpool, under the operational name of Metro Coastlines.

Stagecoach operates the regional bus and coach services in and out of Blackpool, under the operational name of Stagecoach in Lancashire or Stagecoach Express.

National Express operates the main long distance coach services in and out of Blackpool.

[edit] Bus & Coach Stations

Blackpool Talbot Road Bus Station was the main town centre bus station, but is now only used by Stagecoach and National Express services, and is now officially now called Blackpool National Express Coach Station. Blackpool Transport pulled out from using the bus station in the early 2000s after a disagreement with Blackpool Council regarding the state of the bus station building. Blackpool Transport now use Market Street and Corporation Street as their bus interchange which is located in the heart of the town centre.

Blackpool Lonsdale Road Coach Station is the main coach station in Blackpool, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool. This is mainly used by independent coach operators and also by some National Express services. The coach station has a cafe, shop and toilet facilities but is in a state of disrepair, and has long been argued that it is too far away from the town centre.

[edit] Former Bus & Coach Stations

Blackpool Colossium Bus & Coach Station was the main bus and coach station in South Shore. Located next to Blackpool Transport HQ, it was demolished to make way for a Somerfields supermarket.

[edit] Railway

Burlington Road Halt

Blackpool had two railway termini with a total of over 30 platforms, mainly used by excursion traffic in the summer. Blackpool Central, close to the Blackpool Tower, was closed in 1964, whilst Blackpool North was largely demolished and rebuilt as a smaller facility. The route of the former excursion line into Blackpool Central is now used as a link road from the M55 motorway to the town centre. The original 'main line' into Blackpool via Lytham St Annes now has a station serving Blackpool Pleasure Beach but terminates at Blackpool South station. The line into North station is now the more important.

[edit] Road

The M55 motorway links the town to the national motorway network.

[edit] Tram

A double-decker balloon tram on the promenade at Bispham

Tramway route

The town's tramway was for a long time Britain's only working tramway outside of museums. It was also the UK's first electric system. However other cities, including Manchester and Sheffield, have been rebuilding their tramways since the late 20th century.

[edit] Filmography

View from the tower, looking south

For a comprehensive list of Blackpool in television and film, see here.

The resort is featured in the 1934 film Sing as We Go, starring Gracie Fields, as well as other cinema and TV productions, including Funny Bones (1995) starring Lee Evans and Oliver Platt and directed by St. Annes born Peter Chelsom, as well as The Parole Officer (2001) starring Steve Coogan.

The Japanese film Shall We Dance (1996) closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool born and bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960s. In the Hollywood remake of the film (2004) Blackpool is mentioned but not shown. The remake was also directed by Peter Chelsom.

Blackpool is the setting for Bhaji on the Beach (1993) directed by Gurinder Chadha.

The film Like It Is (IMDB) (1998) directed by Paul Oremland was also partly filmed in Blackpool. The opening scenes were filmed in the Flamingo.

The 2005 television comedy/thriller series Funland revolved around the fictionalized, seedier aspects of Blackpool.

The town of Blackpool also features heavily in the BBC television serial Blackpool starring David Morrissey and first broadcast in 2005 along with the one-off follow-up Viva Blackpool, broadcast in June 2006.

The Jimi Hendrix - Experience video and DVD features concert footage of Hendrix's performance at Blackpool's Opera House in 1967.^[14]

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspaper

The Gazette - daily evening paper

The Citizen - free weekly newspaper

[edit] Radio

Radio Wave 96.5 - Blackpool-based commercial radio station

In addition Blackpool falls in the coverage area of Rock FM, Magic 999, 105.4 Century FM and Smooth FM 100.4.

[edit] Television

[edit] Sport

[edit] Cricket

Blackpool C.C., currently competing in the Northern Premier Cricket League. They last won the League Cup in 2005, and were National Champions in 1990. Also between 1973-1996, they won the Lancashire Cup on eight occasions and were League Champions fourteen times. Their home ground is know as Stanley Park.

[edit] Football

Blackpool F.C., currently competing in the Football League One. They last won the F.A. Cup in 1953. Also sometimes known affectionately as the "Seasiders" or the "Tangerines", Their football stadium is known as Bloomfield Road and is currently being redeveloped and modernised in stages. Famous former players include Stanley Matthews, Stan Mortensen and Jimmy Armfield.

Blackpool Mechanics F.C., currently competing in the North West Counties Football League Division Two. Also sometimes known affectionately as the "Mechs". Their home ground is known as Jepson Way.

Blackpool Wren Rovers F.C., currently competing in the West Lancashire Football League Premier Division. Their home ground is known as Bruce Park.

Blackpool Wren Rovers L.F.C., currently competing in the Northern Combination Women's Football League.

Squires Gate F.C., currently competing in the North West Counties Football League Division One. Their home ground is known as School Road.

[edit] Rugby League

Blackpool Panthers R.L.F.C., currently competing in the National League Two. Their home ground is Woodlands Memorial Ground in the neighbouring town of Lytham St Annes, which is also the home to Fylde R.U.F.C.