Blackpool Council has now set aside £200k in funds to help search for a new developer of its ambitious Blackpool Central regeneration scheme, after original development partner Nikal Ltd unexpectedly filed for administration. 

Last month saw councillors decide to officially terminate the land sale agreement it had in place with Nikal, and allocate new resources to finding a replacement developer for the £300m project. 

Permissions are in place to construct three indoor amusement parks and a massive entertainment complex in and around Blackpool Central train station, as well as new hotel accommodation and a swathe of new retail, restaurant and hospitality venues. 

Nikal signed on to the project in January of 2020. A statement released by Blackpool Council said that nixing the agreement with the Manchester-based firm would “ensure that the council is able to re-market the excellent investment and development opportunity the site presents.”

“The council remains determined to see its vision and aspirations for a world class leisure development delivered on the site, as it seeks to move forward with its ambition for regeneration, economic growth and resilience across the town,” it continued. “It is imperative that the momentum to see development on the site is not lost and that every effort is maintained to seek a new investor/developer as soon as practically possible.”