‘’We want £30m Labour conference back in Blackpool’’

Blackpool is pushing for the return of the national Labour conference which would be worth £30 million to the local economy over just one week.

The resort was under the spotlight as Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock chose Blackpool for a short break with her family and visited the iconic Winter Gardens and Pleasure Beach to find out more about the town’s vibrant visitor economy.

The Minister, who is Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth (DCMS) did not pass on the opportunity to try out the Pleasure Beach’s newest ride Avictus, joining Blackpool South MP Chris Webb as they were swung high up into the drizzly air.

And it was very much the upward swing to Blackpool that the Minister heard about as Mr Webb and Kate Shane MBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, highlighted how the town is on the up and bidding for a confident crack at the 2029 City of Culture accolade.

They told her how the return of the Labour conference, which was an annual fixture in Blackpool until 2002, would present a lucrative win-win situation for both the town itself and the national Labour party.

Mrs Peacock, who has previously spoken of her support for seaside resorts and has played a key role in promoting the vital Great British Summer Savings scheme, acknowledged that Blackpool was unique and had so much to offer.

The Minister stood in the Winter Gardens’ impressive Floral Hall as she recalled that she had previously come to Blackpool for the Labour North West Regional Conference in 2023 and said:“There’s a real excitement and a magic to Blackpool, there’s something here for everyone of all ages to enjoy, the different attractions and the beautiful beaches.

“Blackpool has got a lot going for it and one of the challenges is to shout about it – it’s all year round, not just the summer.

“I was actually here for a few days with my family but I wanted to visit as a Tourism Minister and I wanted to see what the area had to offer. It has so much.”

Chris Webb said: “I want Labour conferences back here at the Winter Gardens, our Trade Unions already come here, we have everything here.

“The annual Labour conference would open up doors for Blackpool and it has so much to offer delegates, whether they’re staying at Betty’s B&B or upmarket hotels like the Boulevard.

“Blackpool’s Holiday Inn has been chosen as the best branch in of the chain in the whole of Britain and Ireland.”

The Blackpool South MP said the town’s upward trajectory was highlighted by its bid for City of Culture and he believed the town was going to win.

He said: “It’s great that we’ve got Steph here and that she’s chosen Blackpool for a family holiday. She’s a great advocate for Blackpool.

“The Pleasure Beach, despite the rain, was booming. We’re here today as Peter Kay announces another show for Blackpool. We’ve had a great number of visitor over the summer.

“We’re ready for that City of Culture. We’re a proud seaside town. Take the city out of it; for us, all the stars are aligned for us to get that. It’s for 2029, which will be 150 years of the Illuminations. Blackpool has everything.

“We’re getting government support, we’ve already announced we’re looking at the arena, with the help of the DCMS, we’ve got all the Government departments now working together to help this town for the first time I can remember.”

Kate Shane MBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, was also keen to press the town’s case for the return of the Labour Conference.

She said: “The conference alone would be worth £30 million for Blackpool.

“The Winter Gardens has a total capacity for 7,000 people, it’s the perfect conference centre.

“Our unique selling point is that we can combine the contemporary, state-of-the art facilities with the heritage of the Winter Gardens.

“We have got international attractions like Blackpool Tower Ballroom and the Empress Ballroom and hotels, restaurants and so many attractions of every kind.”

The Culture Minister was quick to acknowledge Blackpool’s magic but would not be drawn on the City of Culture bid.

She said: “It may sound like a politician’s answer but it’s an independent process and I’ve actually just taken on the ministerial responsibility for both the City of Culture and the Town of Culture, so I wouldn’t want to prejudice the bid by commenting!”