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BBC News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford Playhouse to become more accessible after fundraiser
A campaign to make a historical theatre more accessible has surpassed its planned target by more than £5,000.A fundraising appeal started earlier this year by Bradford Playhouse, on Peckover Street in Little Germany, reached just over its original £10,000 the theatre company said in a post on social media that a volunteer had donated an extra £5,000 on the final day before fundraising closed, bringing their total up to £15, Megan Wilson said the original target was set up to help "ensure that every member of our community can experience the joy of live theatre". She said: "This project is about breaking down barriers and making the arts accessible to everyone."We're asking our audiences, supporters and the wider community to help us make this happen."The money will go towards adding a lift from the street level to the bar in the art deco building, as well as a new washroom and accessible internal work will further include a new doorway, the removal of metal additions from the 1990s and a repaint of the building – essentially restoring much of its 1930s design. 'Incredible help' The building is also currently being given an external makeover after works were approved by Bradford Council in Playhouse has been at the heart of the city's cultural scene since the playwright JB Priestley, who wrote the acclaimed play An Inspector Calls, was president of the theatre from 1932 until his death in theatre hosts numerous performances throughout the year, including its annual the layout of the building, including a stepped access, means it is not fully accessible.A post from the theatre thanked those who had shared their support for the works, as their "generosity is making a world of difference".The post added: "Although the official campaign has ended, we're keeping it open for a while longer to accept additional donations."Along with the generous support from Bradford 2025, your incredible help means we're one step closer to making Bradford Playhouse a welcoming, accessible space for everyone." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Metro
23-04-2025
- Metro
Blackpool is a 'kiss me quick' dump — but I'll defend it to the end
In the second installment of Metro Travel Hot Takes , Jessica Hamilton makes the case for Blackpool, a town described as grotty, tacky, and the 'land that time forgot'. ——————————————————————————————————————– Suggesting a trip to Blackpool to people who have never visited is usually met with smug laughter, mild disgust, or just a flat-out 'No'. As UK seaside towns go, it doesn't have the greatest reputation. It was, after all, named after a drain. But even so, it wasn't always that way. In its prime, during the 1920s to 1960s, Blackpool was Britain's most popular coastal destination. Known as the holiday jewel of the North West, it attracted visitors from up and down the country. It was so iconic that the novelist JB Priestley called it 'the great, roaring, spangled beast'. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. However, in recent years, its charm has faded. Blackpool has been variously branded a 'dump' and 'disgusting'. It repeatedly stars in rankings of the UK's worst seaside towns. Local crime statistics certainly don't help its case. Blackpool has one of the highest crime rates in the country, and the region is one of the most socially deprived in the UK. Yet, despite it all, Blackpool still attracts more than 20 million visitors a year. So, maybe this so-called 'dump' deserves more credit than it gets. Growing up just 50 minutes away, Blackpool was my nearest seaside destination. It might not have the obvious draw of Cornwall's white-sand beaches or Whitby's historic charm. But, for me, visiting is filled with nostalgia. My grandma used to go dancing in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. My parents took me on rainy day trips to the beach, where I'd eat soggy fish and chips and ride donkeys on the sand. And, as a teenager, my friends and I would find any excuse to go to Pleasure Beach or drive through the famous lights. It's not for everyone. The moment you step onto the promenade, your senses are overwhelmed with the smell of deep-fried doughnuts, the ringing of amusement arcades and large crowds jostling for 2p slot machines. Fortune teller shops are wedged between chippies and rock confectionary stalls, which proudly display celebrity headshots on their windows. Not to mention the drag queens, pantomimes, karaoke bars and rowdy hen and stag parties in garish fancy dress. It's cheap. It's tacky. It's loud. But it's certainly not boring. Dubbed the 'world's first working-class holiday resort', Blackpool has long been a place for affordable fun, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. It's even been named the friendliest town in the UK. All three of its piers are still free to enter, and it has remained reasonably priced to visit – something that can't be said for southern seaside destinations, such as Margate and Brighton, which are becoming so costly and gentrified, they're practically London-by-sea. And while tickets for Pleasure Beach (one of the UK's best theme parks) haven't escaped inflation, it's still full every summer. As the local tourism board puts it: 'Blackpool is a true British icon, the only urban seaside resort with 150 years of heritage, the first working-class holiday resort in the world with an unshakeable vitality.' Yes, it might be rough around the edges. But it's hard not to admire Blackpool's kitschy charm and determination to stay alive. The rise of cheap package holidays in the 60s and 70s inevitably lured Brits to the balmy beaches of the Mediterranean. But this town is yet to surrender to its competition. The council has pumped millions into revitalising tourism over the past decade, from improving local transport links to investing in free, family-friendly attractions. In 2023, the iconic illumination switch-on returned to the Promenade for the first time in three years, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor flicking the switch. That same year saw the long-awaited comeback of the beloved Valhalla ride at the Pleasure Beach and the opening of a £1.5million big cat facility at Blackpool Zoo. In 2024, a £34 million four-star Holiday Inn opened its doors – a welcome addition to a seafront dotted with dated B&Bs. And Blackpool's efforts seem to be paying off. Figures from the annual STEAM report show that the town welcomed 21.5 million visitors in 2023 – a 6% rise on the previous year. The value of the town's tourism industry remains a steady £1.98 billion, accounting for nearly a third of Lancashire's total visitor economy. More Trending Data from Blackpool council also showed a spike in footfall along the promenade last summer, and coachloads of tourists continue to pour in, year after year. It might not be a glamorous getaway, and few will admit to loving it – but Blackpool is a guilty pleasure (or my not-so-guilty pleasure). If you give it a chance, you're more than likely to have a good time. Frankly, anyone I've ever dragged there has. Blackpool Tower – Modelled after the Eiffel Tower (though half the size), Blackpool Tower is one of Britain's most beloved landmarks and a trip to the seaside town wouldn't be complete without visiting. It's completely free to enter, but you'll have to spend £12 to get to the top. Visit Coral Island – Why not take a trip to Blackpool's pirate-themed amusement arcade? There are rides, slot machines, casinos, and kids eat free all day, every day. Blackpool Illuminations – Every year, from the end of August to the beginning of January, Blackpool Promenade is illuminated by over one million lamps. The dazzling installation stretched around six miles. Pleasure Beach Resort – The iconic theme park first opened in 1896 and is home to iconic rides such as the Valhalla, one of the longest indoor dark rides in the world, and The Big One, the UK's tallest rollercoaster. A full day ticket starts from £35 for adults. Wander Blackpool's Piers – There are three piers in Blackpool to explore. The Central Pier, built in the 19th century, is home to a funfair, the South Pier is full of music, games and adrenaline-filled rides, while the North Pier, the longest and oldest of the three, is home to theatres and bars. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Jet2 is launching a UK flight to 'paradise on earth' next summer MORE: 'Secretive' country that's banned WhatsApp is making it easier for tourists to visit MORE: The cheapest all-inclusive holiday destinations for summer 2025
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford Playhouse to get Art Deco style makeover
Plans to improve disabled access at Bradford Playhouse and give the Art Deco theatre a makeover have been approved by the council.A crowdfunding campaign has also been launched to raise £10,000 towards the cost of the work which the council hopes will allow the theatre to attract a wider audience during Bradford's year as City of Culture. The plans include adding a lift and better disabled access and restoring much of the theatre's external 1930s Ackroyd, Bradford Council's conservation officer, said the building was of "considerable social and cultural significance" to the city. Located in Chapel Street in Little Germany, Bradford Playhouse has been at the heart of the city's cultural scene since the playwright J B Priestley was president of the theatre from 1932 until his death in 1984. 'Bold' colour scheme Under the new plans, external works will include a new doorway, the removal of metal additions from the 1990s and a repaint of the building – essentially restoring much of its 1930s design, according to the Local Democracy Reporting there will be a new washroom and accessible toilets, and a lift from street level to the bar, box office and accessible Ackroyd said: "The removal of metal additions installed in the 1990s and application of a new scheme of decoration will enhance the building. The colour scheme is bold but relevant to the Art Deco style."The proposed works will support the viability of the Playhouse, assisting its retained presence as a key component of the cultural and visual character of the conservation area." Daniel Bates, executive director of Bradford City of Culture 2025, said: "We have been working with the team at Bradford Playhouse for the last 12 months on a scheme to improve access to the Playhouse, and we are thrilled that they have now gained planning permission for the works."We are now working hard with the Playhouse to secure the funding to make the improvements, so the Playhouse will be accessible in 2025 – another great City of Culture legacy."Megan Wilson, director of the Bradford Playhouse, said: "We want to ensure that every member of our community can experience the joy of live theatre."This project is about breaking down barriers and making the arts accessible to everyone."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
