Published Date:
31 March 2010
By Shelagh Parkinson
BLACKPOOL is heading for Europe's premier league!
Government ministers and tourism big guns are making bold predictions after The Tower and Winter Gardens were bought by Blackpool Council.

Now those behind the £40m deal are promising the rebirth of Blackpool as a leading family resort with top attractions and big names to rival anywhere on the continent.

As exclusively revealed in yesterday's Gazette, Merlin – ranked second only to Disney in terms of global tourism – will take over the running of the world famous Tower by the end of this year.

Millions will be sunk into refurbishing both the 116-year-old seaside giant and the Winter Gardens.

But it will not only be about polishing old gems – Merlin will bring with it a package of brands including Madame Tussauds, the London Eye observation experience and the "horrible history" Dungeons which all have proven track records.

Merlin chief executive Nick Varney told The Gazette: "I believe Blackpool has the potential to be one of the premier destinations not only in the UK but in Europe as well."

He added: "When you take Madame Tussauds, the Dungeons, the Eye Observation experience, alongside the Sealife Centre, alongside other experiences such as the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool will be going forward with one of the best concentrations of premier league brands outside of London.

"There has been a lot of false dawns, including the supercasino.

"But there has always been a number of people who have believed in the opportunities to resurrect the resort and that bringing back the family appeal with premier brands would be the option to take the resort forward."