Blackpool lets 22,000 sq ft to NHS as public sector crowds in
Some 300 staff will move to an office on the first floor of No1 Bickerstaffe Square, adding to the growing throng of public sector workers now based in the town centre.
NHS Business Services Authority, an arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care has moved to a 22,000 sq ft office close to Blackpool North train station, signing a 10-year lease.
As a result of the deal, Blackpool’s £350m Talbot Gateway is now on the cusp of being fully occupied; 99% of the 500,000 sq ft of space developed to date is now spoken for.
Only one retail unit around Blackpool North tram stop remains available to rent, according to the council.
Blackpool and Talbot Gateway development partner Muse are making great strides in driving footfall into the town centre. Some 3,000 DWP staff recently moved into the Civil Service Hub off King Street. Meanwhile, construction of another government building that will provide a home for 1,100 MoD staff is ongoing nearby.
Cllr Mark Smith, cabinet member for economy and built environment, said: “It’s great that more and more organisations are choosing to move their offices into Blackpool town centre.
“Blackpool is thriving at the moment, with billions of pounds of investment and one of the fastest growing economies in the North West, which means more jobs and opportunities for our local people.”
Smith added: “The Talbot Gateway has completely changed the look of the area around the train station and is really making Blackpool better. It is a vibrant hub of activity and more importantly is bringing jobs and money back into Blackpool town centre.
“That’s so important, because it means businesses can be confident enough to invest in new cafes, coffee shops and retail shops, creating a modern business district that people want to spend time in.”
What will happen to Hesketh House?
By PLF_Cloud_Cuckoo_Land
Is great to hear more businesses moving to the gateway but when this was all built did anyone consider where on earth all the people are going to park . Nope didn’t think so. The tram service isn’t 100,% reliable as neither is the bus service or the cost of parking. There is also the new college being built doon so yet again more traffic. And again the new ministry of defence building. Surely it would make perfect sense to build car parks underground as is done in the USA and other countries. Bad planning
By Anonymous
Where do all the office workers park their transport
By Anonymous
Very positive progress and now the focus should be on the high number of empty shops on Talbot Rd. It can be depressing leaving the train station to walk into the centre and see so many empty premises. Cheaper rents or free periods are needed to tempt new tenants. The council must recognise this and hope they are working with property owners to explore all options.
By David Gallagher
Would be great if the NHS employees were travelling in, because of the lack of reliable public transport and parking they aren’t.
I note there was nothing about these not being new jobs, it is only a relocation that cost jobs in Fleetwood.
By By Anonymous
The area is a crime hotspot at night , Nobody in there right mind walks in this area after dark , it is most certainly not an area where people want to spend time in.
We have a boarded up Sainsburys , dark poorly lit unimaginative concrete carbuncle . No trees or greenery a Tram stop that is not fit for purpose , Blackpool Transport asking for cash as it runs empty trams , causing congestion up and down Talbot Road as the roads lay empty save the beggars and homeless asking for cigarettes and lugjters to sniff ! Your kidding yourself cllr Smith . The night time economy is dying , pubs with less than 20 drinkers . This is a place to avoid , unecessary Street steel barriers lack of seating , lighting greenery and lack of parking it’s a place people want to escape after dark ,to avoid the vagrants and darkness . It’s a miserable place a few light posts illuminated with coloured lights does not make an area safe .You need to tackle the real issues and stop pretending .
By Neil Charnock
Strange that considering
that Blackpool now off season has very little amount of people around that area during the day
By Jack
Irespective. They have no concept of the cost or getting several quotes. They sit in the office sign the paperwork. Not an actual clue what is out there that’s beneficial for you, the local plebs and don’t give a toss.
By Please these people who play with moving the staff etc. They talk etc. They have no reality of the cost nor any interest. It's paid for by everyone
Parking will not be a problem as moving into a city centre all the staff will get the bus / tram… like that is going to happen. Parking would have never been a problem as they all will work from home.
So the foot fall in the city will never happen – but its all great for the green stats.
By Steve5839