We want to create a new Fleetwood Quarter with People's Pier investment - it's the only realistic idea
“We need to bring people in first and People’s Pier would do that.”
A vision for a Cultural Quarter in Fleetwood could be the answer to regenerating the town and bringing much needed footfall into the long suffering port.
George Greenall, the brains behind Fleetwood Peoples Pier said a Cultural Quarter could link different areas in the town - but believed Lord Street would need pedestrianising first.
He said: “I believe the only realistic idea that could bring prosper to the town is Fleetwood People’s Pier CIC.
“The People’s Pier proposal could be the start of a Cultural Quarter being established by linking up and complimenting other assets in Fleetwood such as the museum, library, Fleetwood Market and the Marine Hall.
From a retail perspective, George believes a new artisan market and shops at the Ash Street end of Fleetwood would work really well - if it was pedestrianised, except for the trams.
"Once we get the pier idea going, there could be an artisan market at Ash Street, a few micros pubs and the top end of Lord Street being transformed into the main town centre - linked by a pedestrianised street.
"People's Pier would be the community entertainment link with its theatre, shops and bars and the Marine Hall on the seafront would be the professional entertainment venue.
“Then we could pull in the Museum, the Market, Library and Mount Pavilion.
“I was involved in something similar in Warrington and it worked really well, Fleetwood can do it too.
"I know people would like to see some of the Pride in Fleetwood cash used for improvements to shop buildings in Lord Street but the time isn't right for that.
“ We need to bring people in first and People’s Pier would do that.”
Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest football stories and new puzzles every day
With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe
The seafront attractions such at boating lake, model yacht lake, pitch and putt - as well as exciting plans for the Marine Hall development - would all filter in to the idea of a Cultural Quarter.
Fleetwood People’s Pier could use £250k funding from the pot of £20m Pride in Fleetwood money that could be used to pay for a feasibility study and the foundation work to get the scheme off the ground.
What is Fleetwood People’s Pier CIC?
The proposed development would be a two-storey modular village, using high-quality shipping containers or modular buildings. The ground floor would feature 10-12 independent restaurants and cafés, outdoor seating, event space, public toilets, landscaping and a sea-facing promenade.
The first floor would provide 10-12 Airbnb holiday apartments, with private balconies, kitchenettes, luxury studio accommodation, accessible walkways and secure access.
The estimated construction value is between £2.5 million and £3.5 million, with the project expected to create around 40-60 construction jobs during the build, followed by more than 50 permanent hospitality jobs as well as seasonal employment, apprenticeships, and work placements.