Blackpool's Stanley Building £6m refurbishment plans changed

The building dates back to 1935

Blackpool's historic town centre building has had revised plans for its redevelopment unveiled, in an attempt to preserve more of the site's heritage.

The scheme to refurbish the Stanley buildings Between Church Street and Caunce Street was initially agreed upon by councilors in March 2022.

However, an updated planning application has been submitted by architects Cassidy and Ashton for the work which would see the site changed for use as a business start-up hub. the scheme has been subjected to a "thorough design and cost review" according to documents.

A £4.5m grant from Blackpool's Town Deal and match funding of £1.8m is to fund the project, the idea behind the new plans is an attempt to preserve the historic aspects of the building, which is almost 100 years old.

The previous planning permission included office space, meeting rooms, a courtyard, a cafe, and a roof terrace, with the windows having external alterations and a change to the shop fronts.

New plans have the existing window designs for the shopfronts being kept, with the glazing being lowered to floor level, the upper roof terraces have been removed from the plan and fewer changes would be made on lower existing terraces within the courtyard, with the existing brickwork being renovated.

Changes would also take place to the landscaping within the courtyard, with portions being removed to prove more hardstanding for parking spaces, the design brief that accompanied the application says: "The proposals seek to retain the existing appearance of the building, particularly at upper floor levels.

“The existing faience will be cleaned and repaired where necessary and the existing windows and surrounds will be retained and only new glazing provided uniformity to this aspect. This enables more of the original fabric of the building to be retained and enjoyed.”

Original planning permission, granted in 2022, warned councilors that the renovations would mean the loss of some of the faience tiling and some of the original windows on the building (which is locally listed). despite this work was deemed to be necessary as the condition of the building was poor and at risk of falling into a state of further disrepair.

The revised application will now be considered by town hall planners.