Lancashire

Council bid to buy historic former Abingdon Street Post Office is supported by Blackpool Civic Trust

Blackpool’s heritage guardians have backed a bid by the council to buy the town’s historic former post office which is earmarked to become a new hotel.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276

Visit Shots! now[1]

It was revealed last month town hall chiefs were hoping to purchase the former Abingdon Street post office which is Grade II-listed, along with the adjoining former sorting office.

New images show latest bid to transform the former Abingdon Street Post Office i…

[2]

Planning permission[3] is in place to convert the building into a 150-room hotel, expected to operate under the Indigo Hotels brand, while the development has also been awarded £8m from the government’s Levelling Up fund.

The former Abingdon Street Post OfficeThe former Abingdon Street Post Office
The former Abingdon Street Post Office

But a number of schemes to redevelop the site have fallen through over the years, prompting the council to seek to buy the landmark and secure its future.

Joan Humble, chair of Blackpool[4] Civic Trust whose role is to protect heritage and promote good environmental design, said they supported the move by the council.

She said: “I would support the local authority in obtaining the former post office and Blackpool Civic Trust will also be looking at any plans architects come up with.

“This is a huge building and everyone in Blackpool knows it, but it has sadly deteriorated over the years.

“We need appropriate development on the site. The Civic Trust will be looking at the plans to make sure they reflect the building’s glory days.

“We want something that maintains the external facade and the interior, as well as the red phone boxes at the front.

“I’m sure the local authority will be looking at appropriate architectural oversight.

Abingdon Street Market[5] has been successfully renovated so it would be really good to ensure the same happens for the former Post Office.”

It was revealed last month the council is involved in negotiations to buy the building which dates back to 1910, and which has been owned by businessman Joe Thompson since 2015.

The latest proposals, drawn up by Franklin Ellis Architects on behalf of developer Ashall Projects, are for a mixture of around 150 rooms, a restaurant and bar for hotel guests and non-residents, with frontages on both Abingdon Street and Edward Street.

Plans also include a rooftop terrace and a three-storey rear extension.

References

  1. ^ Visit Shots! now (www.shotstv.com)
  2. ^

Underage children able to buy knives at one in five shops across Lancashire

Volunteers aged 13 to 16 were able to buy a range of knives at shops across Preston, South Ribble, Hyndburn, Burnley and Wyre.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276

Visit Shots! now[1]

The underage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across Lancashire[2].

Officers from Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to undertake underage test purchases at 36 shops as part of vital work undertaken as part of Operation Sceptre this year.

This is a national knife crime awareness campaign, with intensified weeks of action against knife crime.

Underage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across LancashireUnderage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across Lancashire
Underage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across Lancashire

Volunteers aged 13 to 16 were able to purchase a range of knives costing between £1.99 and £2.99 at seven shops across Preston[3], South Ribble[4], Hyndburn, Burnley[5] and Wyre.

They also undertook testing in Morecambe, Lancaster, Fylde, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Pendle, but shopkeepers in these areas all adhered to ‘Challenge 25’ checks for young people.

Leyland Christmas lights switch on 2023: 14 pictures as crowds are entertained b…

[6]

Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Carrying out test purchases to ensure that shops selling knives are doing so responsibly, is vital to protect our young people and the wider community against the horrors of knife crime.

“Our dedicated Trading Standards team work hard on undertaking test purchases, as well as educating shops about responsible ways to sell knives.

“The Trading Standards North West Young People’s Survey earlier this year sadly showed that one in five young people aged 14-17 surveyed, claimed to have witnessed an incident involving a knife.

“Whilst the large retailers are signed up to a government scheme this hasn’t been expanded to smaller shops. Our Lancashire officers are therefore working hard to ensure all shops selling knives are carrying out a Challenge 25 policy and reducing access to knives.”

References

  1. ^ Visit Shots! now (www.shotstv.com)
  2. ^ Lancashire (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  3. ^ Preston (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  4. ^ South Ribble (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  5. ^ Burnley (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  6. ^