New plans pressing ahead for former Nail Emporium salon site after devastating blaze

Thursday, 23 April 2026 13:29

By Richard Hunt

A new contemporary building is to replace a shop unit in Blackpool town centre which was destroyed by a devastating fire more than three years ago.

The Nail Emporium at 54 Church Street was engulfed in smoke and flames after a fire broke out in the early afternoon of Boxing Day 2022.

Crowds of people gathered to watch the incident unfold as firefighters scrambled to contain the blaze.

Eight fire engines were in attendance at the height of the incident but by 7pm, the fire service confirmed the beauty salon had suffered a “partial collapse”, leaving only the back wall standing.

Following the blaze Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said it was unable to determine the cause of the fire due to the severity and extensive damage

Now plans to rebuild the property are pressing ahead after getting the green light from Blackpool Council’s planners.

The application is for the erection of a two storey retail unit at 54 Church Street, in the heart of Blackpool town centre’s conservation area.

A Heritage Statement, supplied by James Scott Associates, says: “Blackpool is of national and local importance as it is considered the first of the mass market seaside resorts.

“The Conservation Area covers the historic town centre of Blackpool of which the seaside resort developed around from the 1870s onwards.

“The proposed frontage to Church Street will be a modern style glass front, similar to what existed before the fire.”

The evidential, historic, aesthetic and communal value, therefore the significance of 54 Church Street are all low; thus any opportunity to redevelop the property and change the appearance should be considered favourably.

The Heritage Statement concludes: “The proposed works to 54 Church Street, Blackpool is to replace an irreversibly fire damaged building.

“As 54 Church Street is a building of previously limited significance and now substantially, the proposals do not adversely affect the values of the building or the setting .”