Blackpool targets 2020 opening for Amuseum

The team behind plans for a Blackpool Museum have revised their proposals and chosen a potential new home, after a decision earlier this year not to pursue a scheme which would have seen the museum installed within the Winter Gardens.

In July Blackpool Council announced that it would not be proceeding with proposals for a museum celebrating the seaside town’s history “in its current form”, having previously been working towards a £26m fundraising target in order to establish a venue within the Blackpool Winter Gardens.

The project was lined up to win a £15m Heritage Lottery Grant but there was still set to be an £8m funding gap due to the cost of converting a grade two-listed building.

A statement from the Blackpool Museum project team said: “In August we were asked to develop and cost a range of new site options for the museum. During this process we were also approached to be part of a new development on the Promenade. After considering the options in detail the project board chose the Palatine Building as the preferred site.

“The Palatine Building is a landmark building on the promenade between the Tower and Coral Island. It currently houses the Sands Venue and Wild West Diner. The building is being developed by Coolsilk Property & Investment into a 5-star hotel and leisure complex – the first in Blackpool.

“The museum will occupy the first floor of the building with its own ground floor entrance located on Bank Hey Street.”

The museum is expected to be themed around the history of entertainment, so has been dubbed the ‘Amuseum’.

The project has applied for two sets of funding; £4m from the Northern Culture Regeneration Fund administered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, and £4.4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“Fundraising continues in the New Year as we work towards reaching our revised project total of £13m,” the council said.

Authorities across the North are fighting for a share of the £15m Northern Cultural Fund, which is targeting areas which have seen low levels of investment.

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