New £1.7m youth hub in deprived area approved

An artist’s impression of the proposed new Blackpool Boys and Girls Club

Plans for a £1.7m investment in new youth facilities in a deprived part of a seaside town have been approved.

A state-of-the-art centre for Blackpool Boys and Girls Club will be built on Gorton Street in Talbot and Brunswick.

Following the demolition of the existing sports barn on the site, it would mean a much larger building being provided for young people.

It is hoped it will help to continue work in reducing anti-social behaviour in the area.

The recently club linked up with Lancashire Police, as part of Operation Centurion, to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Between the launch of the operation in summer 2023 and January, police said there was a 42% reduction in recorded incidents.

Among the initiatives, officers had started to engage with young people at an earlier age and join sessions at the club.

A councillor said the current building was "ageing"

Councillor Jo Farrell told a council planning meeting it was a "much-needed" facility because the current building was "ageing" and young people "deserved better".

A report by town hall planners said the new building would be almost three times bigger than the current structure.

It would provide an activity hall, canteen and activity room, two smaller activity rooms, three office rooms and a kitchen.

There would also be bathroom facilities, including a shower room and laundry room.

The scheme is being funded from a £1.7m grant from the government’s Youth Investment Fund.

The cash was secured following a joint application by the Blackpool Boys and Girls Club and Blackpool Council.

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