Blackpool – More overnight stays as visitors happier

VISITORS to #Blackpool are staying longer and are happier with their #holiday, according to the latest Omnibus survey for the first four months of the year. More than two million adults visited the resort between January and April. 

While the overall total of visits is roughly in line with 2015, there has been a dramatic increase in the ratio of staying visitors. More than 50% of those two million-plus visits included an overnight stay, up from 36% last year – the highest proportion of overnight stays since 2011.

Visitor satisfaction ratings with the resort increased, too, with 87% of visitors saying that they enjoyed their stay in the town – up from 79% over the same period last year.

Early indicators also show businesses enjoying a bumper month for trading in May, particularly during the school half term holidays, making up for the wet Easter holidays.

Sales of the Blackpool Resort Pass also jumped, with more than 2,000 sold between January and April, while the number of unique visitors to the Visit Blackpool website broke records again, with 339,000 people visiting the site in the first four months of the year.

In-bound rail passengers to the resort increased by 10%, while the number of tram passengers rose to more than one million between January and April.

Visitors surveyed cited the town’s coastal location and the Pleasure Beach theme park as their two top reasons for visiting the resort in the spring months.

In total, visitors to Blackpool contribute £1.33 billion to the local economy, supporting some 24,000 jobs.

www.visitblackpool.com


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Picture Credit: 118118485@N05/25811597323 The Beautiful North via photopin.com

Dazzling displays

VISITORS to #Blackpool will see a dazzling autumn celebration of light again with the return of the LightPool At Blackpool #Illuminations show.

The £2 million LightPool programme returns for a second year at the start of September with new 3D projection shows on to the Blackpool Tower buildings and a week-long festival of light throughout the town centre during the October half-term holiday.

Councillor Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, says: ‘Last year’s LightPool events were a big hit, with people coming from across the country to watch the stunning projection shows and the spectacular performances in the town centre. This year’s programme promises to be bigger and brighter than before and should be a wonderful addition to the Illuminations. 

‘We are working with experts from all over the world to make LightPool a visual feast for families, as well as making sure that it is all free to enjoy.’

Blackpool Illuminations will light up from September 2 to November 6, with the World Fireworks Championships firing off from North Pier every Friday for four weeks from September 9.

www.visitblackpool.com/lightpool
www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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Cameron announces support for flood-hit north as bookings dive

BRITAIN’S prime minister has announced a package of measures to boost the north of England’s tourism industry and encourage holidaymakers to visit the region over the Easter break. Part of Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire were hit by serious flooding in December.

The aid package will include £2 million of government funding which will be used to fix bridges, re-build walls and restore footpaths in the Lake District National Park.

David Cameron said: ‘From York Minster to Honister Mine, Carlisle Castle to the Leeds Armouries, the north has some of the most iconic tourist attractions the UK has to offer. So it is absolutely right that we do everything we can to make sure these businesses feel supported and ready to receive visitors.

‘The measures we’ve announced today are an important step, showcasing the best the region’s tourist industry has to offer while helping one of its key attractions in the Lake District National Park get back on its feet.”

The government’s support comes after some businesses in affected areas reported a drop in bookings of up to 60%.

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Where to catch the Northern Lights

AN alignment of the Earth and the Sun has caused beautiful displays of #auroraborealis, also known as the #NorthernLights, across parts of the UK. The natural phenomenon which causes a celestial light show in the night sky is likely to remain visible over areas of #Britain for the next few weeks.

Northern England, North Wales, and Scotland are said to be among the best potential viewing points in the UK, so Pitchup.com, an outdoor accommodation specialist, has compiled a guide to Northern Lights spotting from some of its best positioned sites.

Northumberland has been named as one of the area’s most likely to see the spectacular lights show. Pitch-up.com has wooden pods at the Border Forest Caravan Park in Otterburn, minutes from Kielder Observatory. The camping pod have electricity, heaters, and power sockets, and shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Northern Scotland is famously one of the best places to see the lights, and some beautiful photographs have recently been taken in Gamrie Bay in Aberdeenshire. A ten-minute drive away is Wester Bonnyton Farm where guests can stay in a three-bedroom holiday home which sleeps six.,

The skies are known to shine a green glow in East Lancashire, with beautiful scenes in the area of Pendle Hill recently. Experts think the lights will remain visible for weeks to come. Just minutes away is The White Stables in Bacup, where campers can pitch up on a non-electric grass pitch for just £10 per night. The pitch is suitable for motorhomes, caravans and tents for up to six guests.

Areas of North Wales have an increased likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights over the coming weeks due to coinciding space weather patterns and clear skies. There are luxury studio cabins at Wyldwoods Retreat in Powys.

www.pitch-up.com

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Outdoor shows in Blackpool’s LightPool extravaganza

BLACKPOOL’S ‘Brilliance’ arches will play host to a month of outdoor performances and live music throughout October as part of Blackpool Illuminations’ LightPool programme. The arches, based on Birley Street in the town centre, become the centrepiece of 11 different shows over five weekends during the month.  
Throughout October, every Friday and Saturday evening will see a different performance taking place underneath the arches. An outdoor dance performance on bikes, Strictly Night Cycling, will start the events on October 2 and 3.

On October 8, poets will read their literary works out over the arches’ speaker system, as part of National Poetry Day. Aerial acrobatics will returns to #Blackpool on October 9 and 10, with the Wired Aerial Theatre group.

Circus acts and street artists will perform on October 16 and 17, and illuminated umbrella parades will lead people from the Promenade in to Birley Street on October 23 and 24.

The festival of acts will finish with two live music sessions on October 30 and 31.

All of the events will be #free.

Artistic Director of LeftCoast, Michael Trainor, said: ‘What we’re doing is bringing the Illuminations to life, giving people something that is live and happening all around them. We’ve managed to attract some exciting and talented artists to take part – but let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to star in #BlackpoolIlluminations.’

www.visitblackpool.com/lightpool
www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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Picture Credit: www.visitblackpool.com

Blackpool’s beaches better than Bondi!

BLACKPOOL’S beaches are reckoned by the British to be the best in the world, according to a survey by Post Office Travel.

Earlier this year, all of Blackpool’s beaches – South, Central, North, and Bispham – scooped Seaside Awards from Keep Britain Tidy for the second successive year.

Councillor Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of #Blackpool Council, said: ‘It’s a fantastic accolade. I think a lot of people would be surprised about just how nice our beach is. It’s not only the cleanest it’s ever been; it also has some of the best views in the UK.

‘It helps make Blackpool the ideal location for a day trip, a weekend break or even a week-long stay.’

Go Holiday editor David Kernek comments: Was this survey done on April 1?

www.visitblackpool.com

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Picture Credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/118118485@N05/15398832708">Blackpool Central Pier Sunset</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Welcome to Blackpool! …

… will be the message from the town’s Resort Ambassadors as they show visitors the way around Blackpool’s £2.4 million Lightpool project. 

The team, funded by a £2 million grant from the Coastal Communities Fund, will help direct people to exhibits that are coming to the town centre. It will also have a role outside the Illuminations season, welcoming people to the town, offering advice to visitors, and providing travel and tourism tips.

Lightpool will enhance the Illuminations using creative content, the most noticeable change being the introduction of projection mapping technology. As well as the display along the six mile stretch of Promenade, a projection show will adorn The Blackpool Tower buildings.

Coun. Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: ‘We’ve got a huge range of new features for this year, as well as returning favourites and community sections and, of course, our new #Lightpool project.’

The full display runs from September 4 to November 8.

*Blackpool’s first electric lighting was in 1879 when eight Siemens arc lamps illuminated the Promenade. The effect was described by Victorian visitors as ‘artificial sunshine’.

Leisure pass launched in Blackpool

#VISITBLACKPOOL has teamed with the Leisure Pass Group to introduce a credit card-style Blackpool Resort Pass, giving visitors faster and more convenient access to six featured attractions in the seaside resort.

Priced at £55 per person, the pass entitles customers to one visit over a seven-day period to each of the following:

Blackpool Pleasure Beach (including the rides)
Nickelodeon Land
Blackpool Tower Eye & 4D Experience
Blackpool Tower Dungeon
SEA LIFE Blackpool
Madame Tussauds Blackpool

Customers can upgrade to the Blackpool Resort Pass Plus (£80 per person), which adds Blackpool Zoo, Sandcastle Waterpark, and Blackpool Model Village & Gardens.

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Picture Credit: Blackpool Council

Blackpool Air Show set for take-off

THIS year’s free, seafront #BlackpoolAirShow has been set for August 9 and 10

With the RAF Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a group of wing walkers, the show’s organisers are hoping for fair weather and promising the Best of British aviation.

Highlights include displays by two local military giants: the BAE Warton built-Eurofighter Typhoon and a fully-restored, Blackpool-based Huey helicopter. The Huey is the US military helicopter which played a vital role in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The #VulcanXH558 bomber – which is to be retired – will make its last ever appearance at the Blackpool show, while the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress will be making its first. www.visitblackpool.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62787780@N06/19468181912">Shuttleworth Military Pageant July 2015</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Take dad camping – and fishing – for a Father’s Day treat

WITH #Father’sDay (June 21 in the UK) in mind, Pitchup.com has flagged up campsites – in Cornwall, Norfolk and Lancashire – that offer fishing and other activities for family fun.

Siblyback Lake Campsite is by the tors and moors of Bodmin and offers water- and land-based activities for all ages and abilities. Facilities include:

Windsurfs, Rowing boats, Kayaks, Sailing dinghies, A high ropes course, Archery, Water-zorbing balls for children and Fly and trout fishing.

Tent pitches start from £14 a night with plenty of availability over Father’s Day weekend.

www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/South_West/Cornwall/Liskeard/siblyback-lake-campsite

Narborough Fisheries is a private 26-acre site in West Norfolk, with chalk stream water from the River Nar running through five fishing lakes … two trout, one specimen carp, general mixed coarse, and a newly-created match and coarse lake with more than 9,000 fish. Pitches for caravans and motorhomes start from £15 ar night.

www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/East_Anglia/Norfolk/narborough/narborough-fisheries

Wyreside Lakes Fishery in Bowland Fells, Lancashire, combines woods, wildlife, and the River Wyre. There are fishing opportunities in a number of lakes, plus facilities including a games room, an outdoor playground, clubhouse with evening entertainment, and woodland adventures for mini-campers. There are provisions for the disabled, and baby-changing facilities. Tent pitches start from £12.50 a night.

www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/North_West/Lancashire/Lancaster/wyreside-lakes-fisher

Wild Camping in Cornwall is in the heart of the Land's End Peninsula. Visitors can learn crafts or enjoy activities – organized by qualified staff – including bushcraft, green woodworking, traditional archery, herbalism, and paper making. Tent pitches start from £15 a night.

www.pitchup.com/campsites/England/South_West/Cornwall/Penzance/wild-camping-in-cornwall

www.pitchup.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37727465@N03/7814932340">Cut Bank Campground</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/56981926@N00/3076053945">IMG_6108</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/93199639@N05/13898626909">Lone fisherman</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/58798467@N04/8471620667">Fogo</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Blackpool Airport closure warning

BLACKPOOL AIRPORT has announced it is ‘likely to close’ unless it finds a new buyer.

The airport’s owner says that if a buyer isn't found by October 7, it will have to stop flights on October 15.

Balfour Beatty put the site up for sale last month after running the airport for six years, during many of which it has been making a loss.

Jet2 said it will continue to operate from the airport as usual until October 7 and will then put contingency plans in place for customers due to travel from the airport.

Aer Lingus and Citywing also operate from the airport.

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