Blackpool’s new mayor speaks of pride in the role

The new mayor of Blackpool says that as a boy growing up in Belfast he would never have imagined one day taking up the civic chain of Britain’s best known resort.

Cllr Danny Scott, who was installed as mayor today at the town’s Annual Meeting, said it was a proud moment for him.

Cllr Scott is joined by his wife, Cllr Michelle Scott, who will be the mayoress for the 2026/27 term. They are both long-serving members for Warbreck ward.

And councillors at the special Blackpool Town Hall meeting also hailed the successful year of outgoing mayor, Cllr Kim Critcley, and her support for charity Home Start. She was supported in her year of office by her consort, Cllr Mel Fenlon.

Cllr Danny Scott said: “As a young boy in Belfast, never in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined I’d be in this position, to take up these wonderful robes. It’s a dream come true.

“To say I’m honoured is an understatement. This is the best resort in the UK.

“I can’t say I was born and bred here but, like many people, I chose to live here. I love the place and I promise to do my very best in this role.”

The former Royal Navy man and prison officer becomes the first Irish-born mayor of Blackpool, even though he had spotted that a previous mayor of Blackpool was one Tomás MacCurtain, who even shared the same birthday.

However, Cllr Scott said it turned out that MacCurtain was in fact based from Blackpool in County Cork in Ireland, not the Lancashire resort of Blackpool.

Cllr Scott’s chosen charities will be Elliot’s Place, a Fylde coast charity aimed at challenging the stigma of mental ill health and suicide, and Homeward Bound, which helps reunite people with their missing pets.

The deputy mayor and mayoress for 2026/7 will be another married couple who are both members of Blackpool Council, Cllrs Carl and Diane Mitchell.

They were both unable to attend the meeting but their son, Cllr Bradley Mitchell, joked that he knew them quite well and could vouch for their characters.

Cllr Lynn Wiliams, Leader of Blackpool Council, joined Cllr Paul Galley, leader of the Conservative opposition and Cllr Jim O’Neill, leader of the Reform group, in welcoming the new mayor and paying tribute to the year in office of Cllr Critchley.