Fylde Council is delighted to confirm the appointment of Building Design Partnership Ltd (BDP) to help us shape the long-term regeneration of St Annes.
The approach will be undertaken in three distinct phases which include:
- Gathering a comprehensive evidence base and commercial potential assessment
- Creating a physical Masterplan that will act as the blueprint to define future development
- Producing a Destination Management Plan.
The commission will focus on two main study areas including the Town Centre and the Island site. The work is scheduled to be completed by April 2022 to align with anticipated timescales for Round 2 of the Government’s Levelling up Funding Programme.
The commission will be funded by Fylde Council and Lancashire County Council.
Councillor Richard Redcliffe, the Chairman of the Town Centres Working Group said:
“I look forward to welcoming the team from BDP as they commence work with Fylde Council and the local community to deliver a bright and exciting future for the resort of St Annes.
“Their bid emerged from an exceptionally strong field of potential candidates following a rigorous selection process. I am confident that the vision, enthusiasm and expertise that their team displays will allow us to develop a masterplan that will secure the prosperity of St Annes and ensure it has a vibrant future as a place to live, work and visit.”
Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council added:
“Our ambition to regenerate and revitalise St Annes Town Centre and Island site has taken a major step forward with the appointment of BDP. It is over 20 years now since the start of the last main refurbishment works in St Annes and whilst shopping and leisure habits have changed gradually over time, they have been singularly transformed over the last 18 months due to the Covid pandemic.
“I am looking forward to a blueprint fit for the future with full input from the town, its representatives and residents, and an exciting vision that will lever in much-needed Government funds.”
BDP commented:
“St Annes is a classic ‘bucket and spade’ seaside town, loved by visitors who return time after time. We’re looking forward to working with the council and the community to attract further investment, to address the challenges of the changing nature of high streets and to explore new opportunities linked to the enduring appeal of living, working and enjoying time off by the sea.”
The development of the Masterplan includes funding from Lancashire County Council’s £12.8m Economic Recovery Growth Fund, which supports projects to help local economies to bounce back from the impacts of Covid-19.
The aim is to kickstart the development of transformational schemes that will make a major economic recovery contribution and create jobs in parts of Lancashire which have been hardest hit, stimulating growth and unlocking further investment.
County Councillor Aidy Riggott, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth, said:
“Lancashire’s tourism sector has been significantly affected by Covid, but we recognise that there are some great opportunities to help to create an improved and diverse offer. The aim of our fund is to support the development of exciting new schemes in our communities such as in St Annes.
“Attracting more people into the town brings money into the local economy and creates new jobs, spreading the benefits to other parts of Lancashire.”
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