Blackpool is awarded £500, 000 from the High Street Accelerator pilot fund

Following a bid submitted by Blackpool Council the money has been awarded to develop an outdoor, accessible green space around the periphery of Central Library and the Grundy Art Gallery on the junction of Queen Street and Abingdon Street, creating the only green space within the vicinity that can be used as a space to relax, whilst also providing more of a 'green appeal' to the area.

The western part of Queen Street has a boulevard-like streetscape, but focuses on the night-time economy. With this in mind, proposals for this part of the street would include planting above ground level, to allow for them to be more secure, and to be maintained more easily.

The engagement of businesses within the high street accelerator pilot will provide an opportunity for business owners and managers to support the improvements to greening in the area, and take ownership of some elements.

The plan also looks to create green infrastructure that is mobile and can be 'adopted' by businesses, who will provide the day-to-day maintenance of the planting, as well as moving the planters indoors outside business hours for security, and also to provide protection from adverse weather conditions when required.

Where possible planting will be refreshed using existing planters which will also be added to within the area. How the area is used, both during the daytime and at night, as well as weather conditions, will be considered before any planting is carried out.

Together, these four elements will combine to create significant visual changes to this area, in a way that will allow them to survive any conditions that might be experienced.

The plan is to change perceptions in order to bring more people into the area throughout the day and support businesses on the two streets. It is hoped local residents will also see a significant uplift and visitors to Blackpool will experience a space that is more visually appealing and better-maintained.

Tim Allan, Chair of Blackpool's Abingdon Street and Queen Street High Street Accelerator partnership said:

"I am delighted that we have been awarded £500,000 from the High Street Accelerators Pilot Programme Green Spaces Funding for our scheme on Abingdon Street and Queens Street. "When we have engaged with the various communities in and around the area, we are consistently told that more green spaces are needed for those living, working and visiting the area. "This money will help us provide much-wanted green spaces and additional planting and will have a significant impact. The 'greening up' of the area is part of a much bigger plan to reinvigorate this particular part of the town and I very much look forward to working with both the community and Blackpool Council to get this project off the ground."