A Blackpool man has outlined ambitious proposals to create a wide-ranging community hub in the town – and make use of the resort’s iconic former Abingdon Street Post Office.
Stuart Wignall says he wants to work with Blackpool Council, which owns the building, and local charities and groups with a common aim of improving key aspects of life for residents.
His aim is to provide a base for such organisations which would help them work together where possible, and also create a non-profit Community Interest Company to help drive new projects.
Using the name Evolve Blackpool, he has set up a facebook page and wants to hear from others interested in getting involved in the project.
In a separate development, it has just been announced that the former Post Office, famed for its iconic red phone boxes, is to receive £850,000 from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to transform the building into a new community-led cultural and creative hub.
Mr Wignall who is joined in the project by wife Laura, says he has approached the council about the possibility of his own proposals working with this other hub project.
The Fylde coast resident, who comes from a sales background, said: “I’ve reached out to the council regarding the repurposing of this beautiful building and turning it into a community hub.
“It’s amazing timing because they were awarded a grant just minutes afterwards.
“I want to discuss how that building can be used and I have a few ideas.
“We’re essentially looking to galvanise the local community and to get people investing in the town and work together to improve living conditions for all of us.
“Blackpool is a great town but it has some really serious issues – including a lower life expectancy than most others towns – and the idea is to take a totally new approach with a view to turning some of those issues around.”
Ideas include improving the local food supply by setting up indoor farms, establishing Community Land Trusts (CLTs), non-profit groups run by local residents to acquire, own, and permanently manage land and assets for the public good.
Mr Wignall, who grew up in Lytham but now lives in South Shore, added: “We can’t do this by ourselves, we want to hear from other people, including people in the construction industry, to get in touch.”
He can be contacted via the Evolve Blackpool Facebook page.
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