Blackpool Council in the UK has initiated a search for new investors to further the development of the Blackpool Central site.

The council's executive committee has decided to engage international marketing agents to promote the site globally, following the termination of the council's previous agreement with Nikal.

The development's first phase was marked by the opening of a new 1,306-space multistorey car park earlier this year.

DSM Demolition has been contracted to demolish several old buildings, with work set to begin early next year.

This demolition is being funded by the UK government's Blackpool Town Deal, announced in 2022.

Located near Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Promenade, the Blackpool Central site covers up to 15 acres and offers direct access to the motorway.

It is claimed to present an attractive opportunity for investors to contribute to the town's £1.7bn ($2.1bn) visitor economy and create new jobs.

In the upcoming year, the council's focus will be on appointing the aforementioned marketing agents to attract investors and developers to realise a new leisure attraction through private sector investment.

Blackpool Council leader and councillor Lynn Williams said: “Blackpool Central sits right at the heart of our plans to make Blackpool better for everybody. We’re committed to attracting a world-class leisure development that creates jobs for our local people, extends our tourism season to be all year round and supports our local economy to grow.

“In the last five years at Blackpool Central, we’ve made more progress on this site than the 50 years before it since the Blackpool Central train station closed in the 1960s, largely paid for by the private sector without risking council taxpayer’s money.

“We have very high standards for the type of attraction which this site needs and any future scheme will have to match those ambitions. To deliver on that we need serious investors and we will be heavily marketing this opportunity to get that international calibre of attraction.”