Blackpool Colonnades, a historic seafront landmark, has been nominated for a national award as part of the Bucket and Spade List Awards, organized by the Seaside Heritage Network to celebrate National Seaside Day on July 1. The annual award, now in its fourth year, recognizes the best features of Britain’s seaside resorts.
Historic Significance and Structure
Built between 1910 and 1925, the colonnades stretch almost one kilometre along Blackpool’s coast. They consist of three sections: Lower Walk at Gynn Square Crescent, Middle Walk from Warley Road to Pleasant Street, and Princess Parade by the Metropole. These structures have become a cherished part of Blackpool’s tiered seafront, offering residents and visitors a place to walk, stay active, and enjoy the coastline.
Funding Bid for Repairs
The nomination coincides with Blackpool Council’s submission of a government bid for £30 million to repair the colonnades, which are in need of significant restoration. The council was invited by the Department for Transport’s £1 billion Structures Fund to submit plans for the Grade II listed North Promenade colonnades, located between the Metropole Hotel and Gynn Square. Due to safety concerns, some entrances had been closed, but earlier this year, three of the five entrances were safely reopened after repair work.
Cllr Jane Hugo, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, emphasized the importance of the colonnades: “Our famous colonnades are hugely important – they are part of our built heritage. Residents and visitors use the area to walk, stay active and enjoy life living on our beautiful coastline. We’ve been working on a plan to restore the colonnades back to their former glory. That’s not cheap. To afford the level of repairs the colonnades deserve, we would have to go without any road repairs for over ten years. That’s why we’re submitting to government our urgent need for extra funding so we can restore them.”
Public Voting and Other Nominees
National Seaside Day aims to highlight the rich and varied legacies of Britain’s pioneering seaside tourism industry. This year’s shortlist features 10 locations across the country, and members of the public are invited to vote for their favorite online. The nominees include Herne Bay Pier (Kent), Wemyss Bay Railway Station (Inverclyde), Tinside Lido (Plymouth), Harbour Bar (Scarborough), Weymouth Deckchairs (Dorset), Blackpool Colonnades (Lancashire), Volks Electric Railway (Brighton), Shell Grotto (Margate), North & South Marine Parks (South Shields), and Aberystwyth Cliff Railway (Ceredigion). Results will be announced later in the summer.
