Latest news with #Lightpool
BBC News
23-04-2025
- BBC News
Blackpool's heritage trams 'can't return without £25,000 funding'
Transport bosses in Blackpool have warned the resort's famous heritage trams will not return to the promenade unless about £25,000 can be volunteer-led service was suspended by council-owned Blackpool Transport in December due to safety fears.A workshop has been altered to house the historical vehicles as part of the Tramtown exhibition head of heritage at Blackpool Transport Bryan Lindop said: "At this moment we can't run any trams, we've got no income, and we need some money." 'Back on seafront' Mr Lindop said: "We need at least £25,000 to spend on various people who can do all the work that we need."He said money was needed to pay architects, for maintenance of the building, and towards the cost of securing planning Lindop added funding was needed to contribute "to the long-term plan to ensure that our tram cars survive and can go on in perpetuity", and towards "getting [the trams] back on the seafront where they belong".For the heritage trams to be able to access the Promenade, they need to also operate out of Starr Gate - the working depot at South Shore where the mainline trams are, instead of the Rigby Road depot, where they are currently housed as part of the Tramtown visitor Council said: "We are working with Blackpool Transport Services on a solution that would aim to see the heritage trams return as a feature during the Lightpool festival. "In order for the trams to operate solely from Starr Gate depot, complex operational issues need to be overcome." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Free Blackpool Lightpool Festival to be extended for half-terms
Blackpool's annual Lightpool Festival will be extended this autumn so more people can visit during the half-term art installations, live performances, 3D projection shows and family-friendly activities will form an illuminated trail taking visitors on a journey around the town free event, now in its 10th year, will run from 15 October to 1 November."We know not all schools break up for half-term at the same time and many of you told us how disappointed you were to miss out on this year's Lightpool Festival because of the original dates," said Visit Blackpool. "So, we've made a change!" The festival, which is staged across a range of indoor and outdoor venues, coincides with the Blackpool year's Lightpool boasted 22 artworks and projection shows, including installations from France, Finland and resort's main thoroughfare - the Golden Mile - featured 21 neon lighting features designed by TV's Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, a trio of huge jellyfish on the promenade, and an illuminated Carnival inside the Tower by Arts Council England, the art trail will be illuminated every evening from 18:00 to 22:00. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
