Amazing public support for Blackpool Illuminations

Blackpool Council has today thanked the public for their incredible show of support for the town’s annual illuminations display.

A grand total of £132,624 was donated to the display this year at the public collection points along the Promenade – a new record!

That’s around £7,000 more than last year and £3,000 up on 2012.

The contributions help to meet around 15 per cent of the cost of putting on the famous display which attracts millions of visitors to the town, ensuring that businesses can continue to thrive at a time when many resorts have closed for the season.

This year’s collections at the arrival points at Starr Gate and Bispham have been aided by the distribution of free Illuminations guides which included a range of discounts for attractions and parking.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “The public’s affection for Blackpool Illuminations is clear for all to see.

“We’ve seen an incredible level of donations and, as ever, there have been millions of visitors to the display.

“This makes an enormous contribution to the local economy and is a massive boost to local businesses as well as a huge PR boost for the whole town.

“We now hope to raise even more money to help fund this year’s display through business donations.

“There is still a month left to go so we would urge all local companies, big and small, to donate what they can to support the Illuminations which provide such a boost to the town.”

Business donations can be made at www.blackpool.gov.uk/donate

This year’s hugely successful illuminations season follows on from a high-profile  summer of events in Blackpool this year.

Initiatives already confirmed for next year include:

– Bringing back the brilliant events programme that lit up the summer season and helped drive a 30% increase in overnight stays including Showzam!, Armed Forces Week, the Blackpool Air Show, the World Fireworks Championships, the Switch-On Festival Weekend and Ride the Lights
– Bringing another high-profile summer season show to the Winter Gardens to try to match the success of Mamma Mia! which scooped more than £3m at the Box Office , making it the highest grossing show in the resort’s history
– Adding new attractions to “The Resort Pass” – the Disney-style all in one pass to Blackpool attractions which has proved so popular
– Exploring ways  to invest in the Illuminations and find new streams of funding to meet the financial challenges facing the local authority
– Continuing to try to increase business tourism, capitalising on the new direct Blackpool to London rail link, exploring further conferencing and events opportunities
– Marketing the resort nationally with positive publicity such as that achieved by the Blackpool’s Back campaign, Strictly Come Dancing and much more

ENDS