£40m buyout still on track

Work on a £40m bid to buy The Tower and Winter Gardens is continuing.

With less than two months to go before the deadline, town hall chiefs say they are optimistic about their chances of success.

Blackpool Council leader Coun Peter Callow said: “Our officers are working full out on this and we are going full tilt to try and buy the Tower and Winter Gardens.

“Everything has to be buttoned up by the end of March so it is a very tight deadline.

“If everything comes together, what an achievement that will be. We feel it is swinging in our favour.

“If we can pull off this coup and access heritage and arts money then we can turn these venues around.

“This is not just for ourselves, but for future generations.

“We are getting a lot of support from the public for the bid. It has struck a chord with people throughout the country.

“People at home and abroad are telling me that we are doing the right thing.”

Leisure Parcs is expected to continue operating the Winter Gardens initially, but a new operator is being sought for The Tower.