£350m Blackpool Talbot Gateway nears full occupancy with NHS move

Blackpool’s £350m Talbot Gateway has taken another step towards full occupancy, with 300 workers relocating to the heart of the town centre.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has moved into the Talbot Gateway around Blackpool North train station.

As an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHSBSA delivers a range of national services to support the priorities of the NHS, Government and local health economies - including NHS Pensions and Student Services.

This week, staff moved into the first floor of Number One, Bickerstaffe Square, taking up a 22,000sqft office on a ten-year lease.

The deal also moves Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway towards full occupancy, with 99% of the 500,000sqft developed space around Blackpool North train station now occupied. Only one retail unit around Blackpool North tram stop remains available to rent.

The relocation of 300 NHSBSA staff is in addition to the 8,000 workers and students moving to the area from other organisations, as part of an expected boost to the town centre economy and creation of more jobs.

Over 500,000 sqft of commercial property has been developed in the Talbot Gateway over the last ten years, including new offices, supermarket, hotel and tramway extension, as well as gyms, restaurants, shops and education space. A new office for the Ministry of Defence is expected to open next year, while construction work for a new Multiversity college campus will start later this year.

The Talbot Gateway is highly accessible via train, tram and bus, while more car parking space has been created at new car parks on Dickson Road and Charles Street, with a planning application for a new multi storey car park to follow this year.

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: “It’s great that more and more organisations are choosing to move their offices into Blackpool town centre

“Blackpool is thriving at the moment, with billions of pounds of investment and one of the fastest growing economies in the North West, which means more jobs and opportunities for our local people.

“The Talbot Gateway has completely changed the look of the area around the train station and is really making Blackpool better. It is a vibrant hub of activity and more importantly is bringing jobs and money back into Blackpool town centre.

“That’s so important, because it means businesses can be confident enough to invest in new cafes, coffee shops and retail shops, creating a modern business district that people want to spend time in.”