Proposed new arena just 30 minutes from Preston receives £20m government funding

Preston Guild Hall was the city’s main entertainment centre for nearly 50 years, until its closure in 2019. As the of future of iconic venue remains uncertain, plans for a major new indoor arena have taken a step forward in Blackpool.

The town’s ambitions to reclaim its crown as a leading entertainment destination have taken a significant leap forward, with a £20 million government pledge to explore the development of a major new indoor arena at Blackpool Central.

The proposed venue forms the centrepiece of the wider Blackpool Central regeneration scheme and is being championed by Blackpool South MP, Chris Webb. He launched a petition in November in support of the project, arguing that Blackpool’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2029 needed a landmark entertainment space to match its aspirations.

Thousands of residents have since added their names to the call, pressing for government investment to turn the vision into reality. Mr Webb has consistently made the case in Westminster that Blackpool, with its rich history in live entertainment, requires bold investment to compete for the biggest events and support the local economy.

The campaign has now received a boost from Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has confirmed the £20 million commitment to fund the next stage of work. Rather than a simple feasibility study, the funding signals concrete support for progressing towards construction, should the business case for the arena stack up.

Chris Webb MP said: "Last year, Blackpool Council asked residents for their views on the future of the Blackpool Central regeneration site.

"I made the case for a new multi-use arena, and since then thousands of local residents, local artists and industry experts have backed that vision.

"After making the case in Parliament, I’m delighted to have secured £20 million from the government to help explore the feasibility of an arena, unlock the opportunity and take the first major step towards seeing whether this exciting vision can become a reality.

"This funding gives Blackpool the opportunity to properly test whether the project is commercially viable and put us in the strongest possible position to attract an experienced private-sector partner with the expertise to develop, operate and programme a world-class venue."

Mr Webb made clear the scale of the opportunity and the need for careful planning: "If an arena is to succeed, it must be the right arena, with the right operator and the right business case. That means bringing major concerts, sporting events, e-sports, comedy, exhibitions and live entertainment to Blackpool while complementing, not competing with, our existing attractions and cultural venues."

If successful, the arena would host concerts, sport, comedy and exhibitions all year round, generating more overnight stays and supporting hotels, restaurants, bars and entertainment businesses across the town. Its construction would also provide work for hundreds of local people and create permanent jobs in events, hospitality and tourism.

The government’s investment is seen as a catalyst for attracting further private-sector support, with the ultimate aim of delivering a venue that not only supports Blackpool’s City of Culture 2029 ambitions but also acts as a springboard for wider regeneration.

Mr Webb added: "For too long we’ve watched major events choose other towns and cities because we simply haven’t had the facilities to compete. This investment gives us the opportunity to explore whether we can change that."

The next step will be a detailed business case to assess viability and ensure the project delivers lasting benefits for Blackpool. Mr Webb said he looks forward to working with Blackpool Council, Blackpool Tourism Ltd, investors and industry partners to ensure the arena, if feasible, becomes a reality for the town.