“It’s not too late to donate!”

That’s the key message today after a flagship Blackpool restaurant offered their backing to the world famous Blackpool Illuminations.

The new look Harry Ramsden’s restaurant on the Promenade has donated £1000 to help ensure that 2015 is the most glittering year ever when Blackpool is once again lit up.

Chris Walter, Head of Operations for Harry Ramsden’s, said: “The Blackpool Illuminations are an iconic and historic piece of British culture, which are enjoyed each year by locals as well as the millions of visitors the town attracts annually.

“The team at Blackpool Illuminations work tirelessly on behalf of local businesses, including ourselves, to ensure the town continues to attract tourists each year.

“We are therefore delighted to be able to play our part in giving something back and pledging our support to Blackpool in this way.”

Although the annual lights season is now at an end after a very successful 2014 which saw millions of visitors flock to the resort to see the show, businesses are still being urged to show their support for the display by contributing financially.

It follows donations from a huge range of business including official sponsors, BES Utilities, who showed their support for the resort by agreeing to kindly donate the electricity to power the display for 2014 and heavily discounted for 2015.

Other key backers include, Beaverbrooks, eviivo, Burbage Holiday Group, KRS, Graham and Brown and McDonalds.

The Friends of Blackpool Illuminations meanwhile, a group of volunteer local business people who strive to promote the display, have raised a further £13,000.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “We welcome all donations and the key message from us is that it’s not too late to donate.

“It’s no secret that local Government funding is under huge pressure and as we’ve said many times, if businesses want the illuminations to continue to be the tremendous success they have been, we need to bring in bigger contributions.

“We would urge all companies, big and small, to look at the huge impact the Illuminations have on business in Blackpool and give what they can back to keep the display thriving.”

This year’s Blackpool Illuminations followed an incredibly successful summer for the resort which included a full 10-week summer season of the world class stage, MAMMA MIA!, which grossed more than £3m at the box office, breaking all previous records.

The latest Omnibus visitor survey estimated that overnight stays increased by 350,000 compared to 2013 while overall adult visits also increased by around 200,000.

To donate to Blackpool Illuminations, visit www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations or call 01253 476406.  In addition to making donations, there is also an opportunity for businesses to get their own name in lights as well as various advertising opportunities associated with Blackpool Illuminations.  Any businesses interested, should contact Jo Ashton on 01253 478240.

ENDS 

Picture Caption:

Councillor Graham Cain accepts the cheque on behalf of Blackpool Illuminations from Chris Walter from Harry Ramsden’s joined by Harry the Haddock.  Picture from left to right: Harry the Haddock, Chris Walter and Councillor Graham Cain

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Blackpool Illuminations shine nightly in 2015 from 4 September-8 November.
• For more information on Blackpool’s brilliant summer season in 2014, visit https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/News/2014/October/Summerseasonisanovernightsuccess.aspx