Uncategorized – Blackpool Civic Trust

Blackpool Civic Trust Awards 2025

Held at the Blackpool Winter Gardens on 22nd January 2026

Blackpool’s pride and community spirit were in the spotlight at the annual Blackpool Civic Trust Awards, honouring outstanding contributions to the resort’s environment, heritage, and civic life.

Hosted by Blackpool Civic Trust and held in the Spanish Hall at the Winter Gardens, the event recognised excellence across the town’s streets, open spaces, buildings, and community organisations whose hard work continues to enhance Blackpool for residents and visitors alike.

The ceremony highlighted achievements that reflect the Trust’s ongoing commitment to promoting high standards in architecture, urban design, environmental quality, and community involvement throughout the resort.

Elaine Smith MBE, who is chair, explained how the Civic Trust had been founded in 1957 by then Minister for Housing Duncan Sandys to encourage high standards of planning and architecture and to stimulate interest in the good appearance of both town and country – aims which were embraced by Blackpool Civic Trust when it was founded in 51 years ago.

“But we also aim to instil Civic Pride in the local community. Because of this we decided not only to give awards for design and construction excellence but also for environmental and community projects.”

Mrs Smith, assisted by a presentation collated by Carl Carrington, Blackpool council head of Planning and Heritage, and citations read by Andy Mitchell of Radio Lancashire, announced the awards which were presented by Blackpool Mayor, Councillor Kim Critchley and mayoress, Councillor Mel Fenlon, following an afternoon tea.

The annual awards underscore Blackpool’s dedication to preserving its unique character while encouraging innovation and improvement across the townscape, started with the Best Street Award to the town centre’s Lord Street – chosen from street nominations made by ward councillors for way residents work together as a community. Lord street is the home of the Be You Initiative and was described as “a hub of community, inclusivity and civic pride.”

Best Street Award to the town centre’s Lord Street

A highly commended award was given to Mere Road.

The DWP building which has changed the landscape in the town centre, won the Best New Build award for Blackpool Council, Muse Developments and Vinci Contractors and was described as “a landmark example of civic architecture”.

By contrast it the iconic Stanley Buildings, constructed in 1935 and designed by then borough architect J.C. Robinson, won the award for Best Refurbishment for Blackpool Council, main contractor F Parkinson Lyd and architect Cassidy & Ashton. Now named, The Robinson, it has been sympathetically restored to provde a vibrant support centre for business and enterprise.

Best Transforming Blackpool to Enveco North West for the Keep Blackpool Tidy programme.

Open Spaces to Re-Form Landscape Architecture for the recreation area at the new DWP site.

Best Community Group to Layton Together and the Forward Project.

Best Youth Project to United Youth Alliance Social Action Group.

Highly Commended Youth Project Award to the Play Inclusion Project.

Best Hospitality to Holiday Inn, Talbot Road

Best Night Time Economy to The Galleon Bar.

Blue Plaque Policy refresh

We’ve refreshed the policy for Blue Plaques in Blackpool as shown below.

BLACKPOOL CIVIC TRUST BLUE PLAQUE POLICY

10th January 2026

The principal criteria to be satisfied for a subject to be commemorated by a plaque:

The event, person or building commemorated must be of very special importance in the history, heritage or shaping of Blackpool.

a. Because blue plaques commemorate history and heritage, a sufficient period of time must have elapsed for the subject commemorated to be truly regarded as part of history. A period of at least 10 years should normally have elapsed.

b. People commemorated must have had a highly significant impact on the life or development of Blackpool, or their achievements or activities must have been of national significance. Such people should have lived or worked in Blackpool for a period sufficient for the town to have had a significant influence in forming their character or shaping their activities.

c. To qualify for a historic blue plaque a person must be dead. At least ten years should normally have passed since their death, so that sufficient time has elapsed for an objective evaluation to be made of their local or national significance. Rare exceptions may be made.

2 A prominent and physically suitable structure (normally a building or wall) on which the plaque can be erected should exist. There needs to be a strong association between the structure and the subject of the plaque.

a. The owner of the structure needs to be amenable to the erection of the plaque.
b. It is the very nature of a blue plaque that there is a strong association between the physical structure on which the plaque is erected and the subject of the plaque. Departing from this principle would dilute the essence of the blue plaques scheme.

c. A major element of the scheme is celebrating the town’s built heritage. There is therefore a very strong presumption against erecting a plaque commemorating the sites of buildings now demolished.

d. An exception to 2(b) above may be made for pre-20th century buildings. In some cases the function and location of the buildings may give a very valuable insight into the early development of Blackpool.

e. An exception to 2(c) may be considered if the site makes a strong and important contribution to public understanding of a place.

3 There must be a sponsor or group of sponsors prepared to meet the cost of the plaque. Currently (2025) the cost of a plaque is approximately £600. This covers the cost of manufacture only and there may be further costs for the erection of the plaque and future maintenance.

Proposals for new blue plaques. If you have a suggestion for a new blue plaque which you think would meet these criteria, especially if you have an idea about a possible sponsor, please contact Blackpool Civic Trust providing as much background information as possible.

All suggestions and applications are considered by the Executive Committee of Blackpool Civic Trust.

The policy can be downloaded in pdf form by clicking on this link

Monthly Meeting – Annual Robert Evan Mills Lecture – 17th November 2025

Monday, 17th November, at The Imperial Hotel Blackpool, it’s our November meeting. It will be the annual Robert Evan Mills lecture. This year the lecture is by Bev Carroll and titled. ‘Raikes Hall and the Royal Palace Gardens’.

Starting at 7pm. Non-members are welcome for a small donation £2. Please note the venue.

Charlie Cairoli Blue Plaque Weekend

Saturday 1st November 2025

A celebration event to unveil the Blue Plaque for Charlie Cairoli. Where else but The Blackpool Tower Circus where Charlie starred in the ring from 1939 to 1979. The plaque was unveiled by Charlie Cairoli Jnr in front of an audience of admirers.

The plaque was presented by Steve Richley and the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society. It will be mounted in the Tower front entrance.

Saturday’s event at the Tower was part of a busy weekend including dining at the Imperial Hotel and a celebration of his life at Showtown. There are many photographs of the event, a small selection is below and links to other notable records of events are at the end of the page.

Charlie Cairoli Jnr unveils the Blue Plaque

Nigel Male of the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society brings the bust of Charlie into the ring

Elaine Smith MBE, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust takes to the ring

A wonderful video of events by Bev Carroll, local historian Link to Bev Carroll’s video on Facebook

The story of the creation of the Blue Plaque by Nigel Male of the Charlie Cairoli Appreciation Society Link Nigel Male’s Blue Plaque story on Facebook

Curtis Tappenden was invited to sketch events, great work Link to sketches of the circus and some of the event on Facebook

and link to photos of his stay in Blackpool and the event

Monthly Meeting 20th October 2025

October Monthly Meeting at the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road, Blackpool.

The guest speaker is Alistair Baines of Cassidy & Ashton, Architects, Building Surveyors & Town Planners. Speaking of ‘The life and times of a sand grown architect’.

Non-members are welcome for a small donation, £2 is suggested. We’ll see you soon.

The agenda will be business and raffle followed by the guest speaker.

Blue Plaque Unveiling at the Armfield Club

On Saturday 30th August 2025 Blackpool Civic Trust attended the unveiling of the Blue Plaque representing the activities of the Seasiders Independent Supporters Association.

‘In 2013 the movement brought Blackpool Football Club back into the heart of the community and led to the introduction of independent regulation by the government.

The Armfield Club, the independent supporters club, opened in 2020 and is a lasting legacy for all Blackpool fans past and present who played a role in re-claiming our club.’

Blue Plaque unveiled on Saturday 30th August 2025 at Blackpool Armfield Club.

Elaine Smith MBE, Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust with John Armfield, son of Jimmy Armfield, next to the blue plaque (lower).

John Armfield, son of Jimmy Armfield, at the Blue Plaque unveiling with Elaine Smith MBE, Chair of Blackpool Civic Turst.

Elaine Smith with Judi Brown a member of the Blackpool Civic Trust.