Press Releases regarding the project can be found by on Fylde Council News area, where you can also sign up to the Council’s newsletter.
Press Releases regarding the project can be found by on Fylde Council News area, where you can also sign up to the Council’s newsletter.
St Annes Event Space (Phase 1)
St Annes Event Space is the first major project to be delivered under the St Anne’s Masterplan. The £2.91 million scheme was created to establish a central destination that boosts footfall to local businesses and strengthens community engagement. A core objective was to modernise the area while respecting and preserving St Annes’ rich heritage. This has been achieved through the use of bespoke, high‑quality materials and craftsmanship throughout the space.
The design team (BDP) shaped the final layout in direct response to public consultation. Key design features — including bespoke paving, amphitheatre‑style seating, improved lighting, and a more open, flexible layout — were chosen to create a multi‑use, visually appealing focal point for the town centre.
Opening in October 2025, the transformed Event Space is already proving its value as a versatile venue, hosting everything from Fylde Fest to street markets, yoga classes, and community celebrations. To discover upcoming events, please visit Discover Fylde.
FAQs
The proof of need, and results of the public questionnaire, are within the Masterplan Document.
The project is a St Annes Town Centre public realm improvement scheme, with space included to form a ‘square’ in the heart of the town centre to enable events, markets, and other community gatherings. The improvements include improved lighting on Orchard Road and Garden Street.
Also, to improve transport links and awareness of the other shopping streets, the bus stops on St Annes Road West have been moved to the top of the square. Landscaping has been refreshed and lowered with more to be added, new, modern seating has been provided and new pedestrian surfaces to improve access for all.
The work is being funded by Fylde Council, Lancashire County Council, and the Governments UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Following extensive public consultation and design revisions, Fylde Council approved an expanded scheme with a revised budget of £2.91 million. Gosling Consulting LTD, BDP, and LCC (Lancashire County Council) were involved in the project.
George Cox & Sons Ltd. was awarded the contract for this project and were appointed via the RISE Framework. The company has extensive experience working on highways on the Fylde and have consistently delivered high-quality and well-managed public realm projects.
George Cox is also currently delivering the Blackpool Enterprise Zone’s new Access Road, and previously worked on the Blackpool Quality Corridor’s public realm project in Blackpool town centre.
George Cox & Sons Ltd have worked with Fylde Council and the designers to develop the new high street improvement arrangements.
The project intentions and benefits are:
- Redevelop the existing car park to extend the events space.
- Remove one dome and use quality materials to create a visually appealing focal point.
- New amphitheatre style seating and reduced planting for an open feel.
- Reposition bus layby for improved pedestrian connectivity.
- Enhance the lighting system and modernise the street furniture in the square.
- Improve lighting (at waist height) in Garden Street and Orchard Road.
- Create a defined community square.
- Improve accessibility.
- Environmental considerations include irrigation, planting, and recycling materials.
Is St Annes Road West being pedestrianised or closed to traffic permanently?
St Annes Road West from Clifton Drive to the Crescent will continue to enable two way traffic. However, St Annes Road West from Clifton Drive towards the Promenade will become one way as a result of the Pier Link Project.
Whilst inevitably we have lost some planted areas, the majority of increased public realm is within the highway however the scheme will create 160m2 of new planting whilst also including five new trees.
The existing planting lost on the southern section was all positioned behind a retaining wall and up to the carriageway and thus not accessible to the public. The removal of this planting will create new paving and accessibility for the southern side of The Square thus improving connectivity. When removing planted areas, George Cox & Sons Ltd worked very closely with Fylde Council Parks team and offered our gardeners the opportunity to remove plants and reuse elsewhere in The Square where appropriate. This collaborative working arrangement has been a success.
An area of 523m2 of existing planting is to be retained. These existing areas are to be enhanced by filling in current gaps using a mix of new plants. The planting palette has been designed by BDP Landscape Architects using coastal and salt tolerant species whilst choosing plants that can survive our coastal wind patterns.
Granite is a strong, durable material, but like any outdoor surface it can develop staining over time. In shaded or damp areas, algae and other vegetation can begin to grow on the surface, giving the granite a greenish appearance.
Regular upkeep makes a big difference. To help maintain their appearance, the Council has now added the granite seats to the official Maintenance Schedule. They will be cleaned every six months, which will prevent algae build‑up and keep the seats looking their best for the long term.
For the full details and funding breakdown of the project please see below reports here, approved at Fylde Council’s Executive committee on 4 July 2023. Please see the reports here from the 25 July 2024 concerning the expanded scheme and increased budget.
Pier Link and Garden Street (Phase 2 and 3)
The next stages of the St Annes High Street Improvements are now underway, focusing on two important areas: Pier Link and Garden Street. These projects are part of the wider St Annes Masterplan, which aims to create a more attractive, welcoming, and better‑connected town centre.
The improvements will make it easier and more enjoyable to move between the promenade and the town centre, with upgrades to the route between the Pier and the Square, and new public realm enhancements along Garden Street towards Ashton Gardens. These works will build on the improvements already delivered in Phase 1.
A key aim of the Masterplan is to help the town centre thrive again—supporting local businesses, encouraging more people to visit, and creating a more vibrant mix of shops, cafés, and services.
- The £1,597,000 Pier Link project will create a safer, more pleasant space for pedestrians and help draw visitors from the seafront into the town centre.
- The £1.5m Garden Street project will upgrade a large section of Garden Street, including the junction with St Annes Road West, to create a more attractive and accessible environment.
These improvements are funded by Lancashire County Council, the UK Government through Fylde’s UKSPF allocation, and Fylde Council’s capital programme.
Work on the Pier Link project began on 23 February and is expected to complete mid-July. The first stage of Garden Street improvements, Square East, started on 20 April and are scheduled to continue until the end of September.
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Pier Link and Garden Street F&Qs
Pier Link FAQs
Monday 23 February 2026
St Annes Road West between North Promenade and Clifton Drive will be fully closed from Monday 23 February.
Yes, vehicle and pedestrian access will be maintained throughout and will be managed by the contractor, George Cox.
Yes, once complete traffic will only be able to pass along the road from Clifton Drive towards the pier.
Yes, the scheme includes a cycle path that will travel west to east along St Annes Road West and join up with the existing cycle path on Clifton Drive. This will be in contraflow to the traffic.
No, currently it is expected that other than painting and some possible general maintenance repairs, the lighting will remain as it is.
There isn’t currently an intention for any trees to be planted as part of this project. However it is the intention at this stage to include low level planting within the scheme.
You can contact the team: regenprojects@fylde.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can contact customer services on 01253 658658. You can also contact us on Facebook, X or Instagram
Garden Street FAQs
From 20th April 2026 works to square east and Garden Street will be carried out in stages and are scheduled for completion by the end of September 2026.
There may be limited visible activity on site at first, but works will begin shortly on either side of the zebra crossing. As Pier Link progresses, the paving team will move onto the square east project, which includes the area connecting the completed Phase One works to Garden Street. Access to businesses will be maintained throughout.
Yes, Garden Street will reopen for one way traffic travelling from St Annes Road West to St George’s Road.
Yes, it is currently the intention that on-street parking will be available on one side of Garden Street.
The current designs for Garden Street include for improvements to pavements and lighting.
You can contact the team on regenprojects@fylde.gov.uk or alternatively you can contact customer services on 01253 658658.
Orchard Road Improvement Works
Work is currently underway to prepare a brief for planned improvements along Orchard Road. These works aim to address the challenges caused by the steep sloping pavements and improve accessibility for all users. It is anticipated that the scheme will be delivered within the current timescales of the Pier Link & Garden Street projects with an estimated completion date of the end of September.
Costings are in progress and a decision on the scope of the works will be determined shortly.
As the project develops, detailed drawings, plans, and progress updates will be added to this page.
