Blackpool Civic Trust website www.blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk

News

  • 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:

    1. 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 Monday 19th January 2026

    Next Monthly Meeting is 7pm on Monday 19th January 2026 at the Holiday Inn, Talbot Road

    The guest speaker is

    John Blackledge, Director of Community and Environmental Services, Blackpool Council

    At the Holiday Inn, 7pm, Monday 19th January 2026

    Non-members are welcome for a small donation of £2.

    Read the full list of monthly meetings

  • Blackpool Civic Trust Awards 2025

    Every year Blackpool Civic Trust award the best building work and civic group for activity in Blackpool in that year.

    The final date for submitting nominations for 2025 awards is Friday 28th November 2025.

    Awards Ceremony – book now

    Our Awards ceremony will be an afternoon tea in the Winter Gardens’ Spanish Hall on January 22nd 2026 – our 51st anniversary – at 1pm for a 1.30pm meal, £20. 

    Contact RachelSykes@hotmail.co.uk for tickets.

    Nominate for a 2025 award:

    Click on this link to download and complete the form.

    Return it to Blackpool Civic Trust at the address shown or to RachelSykes@hotmail.co.uk.


    The closing date for nominations is 28th November 2025.


    Judging will take place the week commencing 1st December.
    The awards are to be conferred on the occasion of the BCT 51st anniversary on Thursday the 22nd January 2026.

    Thumbnail of the form:

    thumbnail of the form

    View our website to find award winners since 2008.

  • Remembrance Sunday Wreath Laying

    Sunday 9th November 2025

    Shirley Matthews and John Garnham laid a wreath on behalf of the members of Blackpool Civic Trust at the Blackpool War Memorial on Sunday 9th November 2025, in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to their country.

    The Blackpool Civic Trust joined many other similar groups from Blackpool such as the Scouts and Girl Guides as photographed below.

    On the war memorial are the words ‘Their name liveth forever more, lest we forget’.

  • 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.

  • Layton Cemetery Blue Plaque Unveiling

    Saturday 8th November 2025

    On Saturday 8th November there was a good turn out to see the Blue Plaque for Layton Cemetery unveiled by the Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Kim Critchley, with the Friends of Layton Cemetery and Blackpool Civic Trust. The plaque was sponsored by the Friends of Layton Cemetery and Layton Councillors and is in recognition of the cemetery’s historical and cultural significance.

    Below: Pam Isherwood who worked hard to get the plaque for the Friends of Layton Cemetery, The Mayor of Blackpool, Councillor Kim Critchley and Elaine Smith MBE Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust.

    Deborah Contessa and Pam Isherwood of the Friends of Layton Cemetery, Mayor of Blackpool Councillor Kim Critchley, Elaine Smith MBE Chair of Blackpool Civic Trust.
    Layton Cemetery Blue Plaque unveiled 9th November 2025

  • 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
    Bowler hats into 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

  • Visit to The Robinson, Blackpool’s new business hub

    Friday 31st Octbober 2025

    Today Blackpool Civic Trust visited The Robinson, Blackpool’s new business hub, based in the Stanley buildings, Church street, following its £8m renovation.

    In August we had a talk on the restoration of this fine building and today’s visit gave us a chance to see the finished article for ourselves. 

    Thank you to Peter Legg and the team at The Robinson for giving the civic trust a preview of the office and co-working space prior to opening.

    For more information about available space and membership of The Robinson, or for businesses to book a private viewing, click here: https://blackpoolunlimited.com/the-robinson/

    Blackpool Civic Trust at The Robinson, Blackpool's new business centre, October 2025

  • October Monthly Meeting Short Report

    Monday 20th October 2025 at 7pm

    There was a good turn out for our October meeting in the Holiday Inn Blackpool. A number of proposals were discussed and agreed before the guest speaker, Alistair Baines presented his talk ‘The Life and Times of a Sandgrown Architect’.

    From building Sandcastles at Cleveleys to designing Council buildings, Schools, Colleges, Banks and more. With explanations of features and form. Building works such as the new Stanley Building transformation, Glasdon Innovation Centre and Knott End Golf Clubhouse.

    The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Blackpool on Monday 20th October 2025. Photo of Elaine our Chairman thanking Alistair, standing, for the talk.