Contractor GRAHAM has commenced work on Houndshill Phase Two development in Blackpool.

Three key deals were signed in February that have enabled the scheme to commence, the Council's acquisition of Tower Street Car Park, a lease agreement for a new 22,500 sq ft wilko store and a deal with MMC Cinemas for a nine screen, 850 seat, 40,500 sq ft multi-media cinema complex, including the biggest immersive screen in Lancashire.

GRAHAM has been appointed as the lead contractor and CBRE the project manager and cost consultant for the scheme. The first phase enabling works will involve initial utilities diversion works and the preparation of site for the main building works to follow. This first phase of the project will be complete by Winter 2022.

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The completed scheme will deliver:

• Over 100 jobs created both directly through the scheme and locally

• 0.5 acres of brownfield land developed

• 76,500 sq. ft. of new commercial floorspace

• Approximately over 260 construction jobs created over the build period

• Increase of 1.2m shoppers and visitors to the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

The overall scheme has been facilitated by £5m of funding from the Government’s COVID-19 Getting Building Fund, following formal approval by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in October last year. Blackpool Council will fund the balance of the scheme through prudential borrowing.

Stephen Van den Hoek, Regional Operations Director for GRAHAM said: This next phase of works will deliver much-needed commercial space to Blackpool, driving footfall through the creation of new retail and leisure opportunities for visitors and the local community. Our team is excited to bring the vision to life over the course of the construction programme, which on completion will create a high quality destination for the town centre to flourish and prosper."