Blackpool Magazine arrives at a pivotal moment for England's most famous seaside resort. This new publication is dedicated to covering the stories, people, and developments that matter to the 140,000 residents who call this Lancashire town home, as well as the millions of visitors who flock to the Fylde coast each year.
Why Blackpool, Why Now
The town has occupied a singular place in British cultural life since the Victorian era, when the completion of a railway branch line from Poulton transformed a small coastal hamlet into a mass tourism destination. Blackpool Tower, modelled on Paris's Eiffel Tower and opened in 1894, remains the town's most recognisable landmark, rising 158 metres above the promenade. The Tower Ballroom, with its Wurlitzer organ, continues to host dances beneath ornate plasterwork and chandeliers.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, founded in 1896, stands as one of Britain's most visited amusement parks, drawing thrill-seekers to rides including the Big One, once the world's tallest and steepest roller coaster. The town's three piers — North, Central, and South — extend into the Irish Sea, offering entertainment venues, fairground attractions, and views across the water.
Each autumn, the Blackpool Illuminations transform six miles of promenade into a glowing spectacle that has drawn visitors since 1879. The annual light display runs from late August or early September through early November, extending the tourist season beyond the traditional summer months. The town's tramway, one of the world's oldest electric tram systems, carries passengers along the seafront throughout the year.
What We Will Cover
Blackpool Magazine will report on the issues affecting daily life here: housing developments along the seafront, the state of the town's transport connections including the railway station and tram network, and decisions taken by Blackpool Council that shape the local environment. We will examine the tourism economy that remains central to local employment, whilst also covering the town's efforts to diversify beyond the seasonal holiday trade.
The publication will track regeneration projects, including the ongoing work to maintain and improve the town's historic buildings and attractions. We will report on the local business community, from the guest houses and hotels along the Golden Mile to the independent shops in the town centre.
Environmental matters will feature prominently, including coastal erosion management, flood defences, and the condition of Blackpool's beaches. We will cover local schools, healthcare facilities including Blackpool Victoria Hospital, and community organisations that provide services across the borough.
The Town Today
Blackpool faces challenges common to many British coastal resorts: seasonal employment patterns, the need for housing stock refurbishment, and the pressure to balance tourism infrastructure with resident needs. The town also possesses distinct advantages, including its established brand recognition, extensive entertainment venues, and transport links connecting the Fylde coast to Manchester, Liverpool, and beyond.
The local authority area encompasses not only the central resort but also suburban neighbourhoods stretching inland towards the M55 motorway, as well as the separate community of Fleetwood to the north. Each area possesses its own character and concerns, from the concentrated tourism economy of the promenade to the residential communities further inland.
Our Approach
This magazine will operate with a straightforward principle: report what is happening, verify the facts, and present information clearly without promotional language or speculation. Stories about Blackpool Tower, the Pleasure Beach, and the Illuminations will appear alongside coverage of council meetings, planning applications, and local business openings. The seaside heritage that defines the town externally will sit next to the practical matters of bin collections, road repairs, and school admissions.
We aim to serve readers who live here year-round, work in the tourism sector, or maintain connections to the town regardless of where they now reside. The publication will neither romanticise the past nor exaggerate the present. Blackpool is a working town with a tourist economy, and our coverage will reflect that reality.
The first issue marks the beginning of this effort. Subsequent editions will dig deeper into the specific issues affecting different parts of the borough, profile local businesses and community figures, and examine how national developments impact this particular stretch of Lancashire coastline.