UK City of Culture 2025: Five in North West, Wales to compete

The city council is to contribute £33m of the £40m required for the cinema and leisure scheme, to be delivered by Maple Grove Developments. 

A planning application for a 1,715-capacity prison on 107 acres close to two existing prisons is expected before the end of the year following a public consultation on the proposals. 

The acquisition from supermarket company Morrisons provides fresh hope that the former Western-style theme park could finally be redeveloped after closing more than 20 years ago. 

The bid team seeking to make Lancashire the UK City of Culture 2025 has submitted its expression of interest, despite the county council withdrawing £22m of support.

Funds would go towards building a creative business workspace next Fleetwood Market, developing Fleetwood Port and creating a new visitor centre for Fleetwood Museum.

Money from the £3.6bn government fund is meant to boost investment, encourage economic regeneration and provide vital infrastructure.

Conversion of the old post office on Abingdon Street into a boutique hotel and an upgrade of the town centre road network are among schemes the council has put forward for a £20m share of the £4.8bn Government fund. 

The county council cited the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic as its reason for withdrawing £22m to support the submission of a “first-of-a-kind”, county-wide bid for the title.

A consultation has opened on plans for a new Government prison tipped to accommodate almost 2,000 inmates, while an overhaul of gym and sports facilities is lined up for another Lancashire site, HMP Kirkham.