As part of the Government’s Town Deal, £4.5m has been allocated to Blackpool Illuminations to update and improve the annual dazzling display.

The £4.5m funding has been allocated to add new, exciting features over the next few years. Brand new sections will be added to the existing displays and the world-famous illuminations will be expanded into new locations. The money will also be used to update the technology behind the lights, ensuring the Illuminations can not only carry on into the future, but also allowing them to stay on for longer. The scheme includes:

• Introducing major new lighting features and attractions every year until 2025/26. This will include individual pieces, road sections and innovative displays – unique to anything seen in the Illuminations displays before
• Creating designs that will see the talented Illuminations’ workforce team up with renowned artists to produce features which will not only premiere in Blackpool, but also promote the Illuminations all over the world
• Introduce a ‘traffic free night’ each week that would see the promenade closed to motor vehicles and allow people to experience the Illuminations, in safety, on foot, whilst supporting Blackpool’s focused efforts in tackling climate change
• Making the technology behind the Illuminations more robust and extending the infrastructure to new parts of the town, whilst investing in new maintenance vehicles to help with upkeep

It is hoped that these improvements will see an additional 1.75 million visitors to Blackpool between now and 2026, with the enhance experience of walking the Illuminations. The developments will provide the potential for an extended Illuminations season every year to support local businesses.