Demolition of town's former police station begins

The demolition of Blackpool's former police station has begun.

A high-reach excavator has started flattening the building on Bonny Street, which has been empty since 2018 following Lancashire Police's move to Clifton Road in Marton.

The work, which is expected to be completed by the end of July, follows the demolition of the former Blackpool Magistrates' Court building and Chapel Street car park.

Blackpool Council hopes clearing the Bonny Street site will boost its hopes of attracting new investment following the collapse in October 2024 of previous backers Nikal Ltd.

Nikal was overseeing the £300m Blackpool Central scheme, a proposed leisure complex near the Golden Mile.

A new multi-storey car park, which forms part of the project, opened earlier this year.

Planning permission remains in place for a new £40m courthouse on Devonshire Road.

While this was due to have been completed by 2026, the start of construction was delayed when contractor ISG went into administration in September 2024.

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