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:''This article is about the town in England. For other uses of the name, see [[Blackpool (disambiguation)]].''
:''This article is about the town in POO!!!. For other uses of the name, see [[Blackpool (disambiguation)]].''
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<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Blackpool_Tower.JPG|thumb|The Tower, Blackpool]] -->'''Blackpool''' is a [[seaside resort|seaside town]] in north-western [[England]]. It is traditionally part of [[Lancashire]], but on [[April 1]], [[1998]] the town was made into an independent [[unitary authority]].
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Blackpool_Tower.JPG|thumb|The Tower, Blackpool]] -->'''Blackpool''' is a [[seaside resort|seaside town]] in north-western [[England]]. It is traditionally part of [[Lancashire]], but on [[April 1]], [[1998]] the town was made into an independent [[unitary authority]].


It is believed to get its name from a long gone drainage channel which ran over a [[bog|peat bog]]. The water which ran into the sea at Blackpool was black from the [[peat]] and formed a "black pool" in waters of the [[Irish Sea]]. (In Gaelic, ''Black Pool'' is ''Dubh Lihn'', which in turn became ''[[Dublin#Name|Dublin]]''.)
It is believed to get its name from a long gone drainage channel whichPOO!!!POO!!! waters of the [[Irish Sea]]. (In Gaelic, ''Black Pool'' is ''Dubh Lihn'', which in turn became ''[[Dublin#Name|Dublin]]''.)


It is generally believed locally that people originating from Blackpool are called "Sand Grown" or "Sandgrown'uns," but these terms may be applied to natives of any [[littoral]] settlement.
It is generally believPOO!!!POO!!!ed locally that people originating from Blackpool are called "Sand Grown" or "Sandgrown'uns," but these terms may be applied to natives of any [[littoral]] settlement.


The town boundaries are drawn very tightly, and exclude the nearby settlements of [[Fleetwood]], [[Cleveleys]], [[Thornton, Lancashire|Thornton]], [[Poulton-le-Fylde]] and [[Lytham St Anne's]]. Blackpool Borough, unlike its neighbours, is almost completely urbanised.
The town boundaries are drawn very tightly, and exclude the nearby settlements of [[Fleetwood]], [[Cleveleys]], [[Thornton, POO!!!POO!!!|Thornton]], [[Poulton-le-Fylde]] and [[Lytham St Anne's]]. Blackpool Borough, unlike its neighbours, is almost completely urbanisedPOO!!!POO!!!


==Economy==
==Economy==
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Blackpool at current basic prices [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf published] (pp.240-253) by ''Office for National Statistics'' with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Blackpool at current basic prices [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloadsPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!/theme_economy/RegionalGVA.pdf published] (pp.240-253) by ''Office for National Statistics'' with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.
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{{fnb|1}} includes hunting and forestry
{{fnb|1}} includes hunting and forestry


{{fnb|2}} includes energy and construction
{{fnb|2}} iPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ncludes energy and construction


{{fnb|3}} includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
{{fnb|3}} includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
POO!!!

{{fnb|4}} Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
{{fnb|4}} Components may not sum to totals due to rounding


===Tourism===
===Tourism===
Blackpool is heavily dependent on tourism. Major attractions include:
Blackpool is heaPOO!!!POO!!!vily dependent on tourism. Major attractions include:
* The three [[pier]]s: the [[North Pier, Blackpool|North]] (built in [[1863]]), Central ([[1868]]) and South ([[1893]]).
* The three [[pier]]s: the [[North Pier, Blackpool|North]] (built in [[1863]]), Central ([[1868]]) and South ([[1893]]).
* [[Blackpool Tower]], built in May [[1894]], is a 518-foot-tall copy of the [[Eiffel Tower]].
* [[BlackpoPOO!!!ol Tower]], built in May [[1894]], is a 518-foot-tall copy of the [[Eiffel Tower]].
* The [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]] [[amusement park]], near to the South Pier.
* The [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]]POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! [[amusement park]], near to the South Pier.
* [[Sandcastle Waterworld]] is the premier indoor uk waterpark opposite the Pleasure Beach.
* [[Sandcastle Waterworld]] is the POO!!!premier indoor uk waterpark opposite the Pleasure Beach.

⚫
In what is often regarded as its heyday (1900-1950), Blackpool thrived as the factory workers of northern England took their annual holidays there en masse. Any photograph from that era shows crowds of tourists on the beach and promenade. Blackpool was also a preferred destination of visitors from [[Glasgow]] and remains so to this day. Reputedly, the town still has more hotel beds than the whole of [[Portugal]]. The town went into decline when cheap air travel arrived in the 1960s and the same workers decamped to the Mediterranean coast resorts due to competitive prices and the more reliable weather. Today, many visitors stay for the weekend rather than for a week at a time. Blackpool is continually striving to improve its position within today's tourist industry. One controversial proposal, which has the involvement of the local council, is to transform Blackpool into a casino resort along the lines of [[Las Vegas]] and [[Atlantic City]], making it the centre point of [[gambling in the UK]]. This plan is dependent on the selection of Blackpool as the location of Britain's first "super-casino", following the slight liberalisation of Britain's gambling laws.


⚫
In what is often regarded as its heyday (1900-1950), Blackpool thrived as the factory workers of northern England took their annual holidays there en masse. Any photograph from that era shows crowds ofPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! tourists on the beach and promenade. Blackpool was also a preferred destination of visiPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!tors from [[Glasgow]] and remains so to this day. POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Reputedly, the town still has more hotel beds than the whole of [[Portugal]]. The town went into decline when cheap air travel arrived in the 1960s and the same workers decamped to the Mediterranean coast resorts due to competitive prices and the more reliable weather. Today, many visitors stay for the weekend rather than for a week at a time. Blackpool is continually striving to improve its position within today's tourist inPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!dustry. One controversial proposal, which has the involvement of the POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!local council, is to transform Blackpool into a casino resort along the lines of [[Las Vegas]] and [[Atlantic City]], making it the centre point of [[gambling in the UK]]. This plan is dependent on the selection of Blackpool as the location of Britain's first "super-casino", following the sligPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ht liberalisation of Britain's gambling laws.
⚫
A controversial aspect of Blackpool's night-life is its hen and stag parties. Brides or bridegrooms-to-be respectively, along with their friends, often dressed alike in absurd or risqué attire, roam the town's many bars and clubs getting increasingly drunk. Their rowdy behaviour is claimed to discourage family visitors and has led to complaints from hotel and guest house owners keen to attract a more upmarket clientele.
POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!
⚫
A controversial aspect of Blackpool's night-life is its hen and stag parties. Brides or bridegrooms-to-be respectively, along with their friends, often dressed aPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!like in absurd or risqué attire, roam the town's many bars and clubs getting iPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ncreasingly drunk. Their rowdy behaviour is claimed to discourage family visitors POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!and has led to complaints from hotel and guest house owners keePOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!n to attract a more upmarket clientele.


Blackpool has gained renown as a lesbian and gay destination, with clubs such as the [[Flamingo Club|Flamingo]], [[Mardi Gras Bar|Mardi Gras]], the [[Flying Handbag]] pub, and many gay-only hotels and guest-houses. These tend to be inland, nearer to the North station than the sea front.
Blackpool has gained renown as a lesbian and gay dPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!estination, with clubs such as the [[Flamingo Club|Flamingo]], [[Mardi Gras Bar|Mardi Gras]], the [[Flying Handbag]] pub, and many gay-only hotels and guest-houses. These tend to be inland, nearer to the North statPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ion than the sea front.


[[Image:Blackpool_Illuminations_and_Tower.jpg|thumb|left|275px|The Tower and Illuminations]]
[[Image:Blackpool_Illuminations_and_Tower.jpg|thumb|left|27POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!5px|The Tower and Illuminations]]
There is a transvestite show bar, [[Funny Girls]], alongside the Flamingo in the building that was formerly the Odeon Cinema; the building retains many of its [[Art Deco]] features.
There is a tranPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!svestite show bar, [[Funny Girls]], alongside the Flamingo in the building that was formerly the Odeon Cinema; the building retains many of its [[Art Deco]] features.


Blackpool remains a summer entertainment venue, specialising in variety shows featuring entertainers such as [[Ken Dodd]]. Outside the main holiday season, Blackpool's Winter Gardens routinely hosts major political and [[trade union]] conferences, ranging from that of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] and the [[Transport and General Workers Union|TGWU]] with thousands of delegates and visitors, to substantially smaller gatherings such as the [[Communication Workers Union (UK)|CWU]] or [[National Union of Students of the United Kingdom|NUS]] conferences.
Blackpool remains a summer entertainment venue, specialising in variety shows featuring entertainers such as [[Ken Dodd]]. Outside the main holidPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] and the [[TransPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!port and General Workers Union|TGWU]] with thousands of delegates and visitors, to substantially smaller gatherings such as the [[Communication Workers Union (UK)|CWU]] or [[NationPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!al Union of Students of the United Kingdom|NUS]] conferences.


[[Blackpool Illuminations]] in September and October, consisting of a series of lighted displays and collages arranged along the entire length of the sea front (11 km/7 miles), attract many visitors at a time when some resorts' holiday seasons have begun to end.
[[Blackpool Illuminations]] in September and October, consisting of a series of lighted displays and collages arranged along the entire length of the sea front (11 km/7 miles), attract many visitors at a time when some resorts' holiday seasons have begun to end.
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===Non-tourist industry===
===Non-tourist industry===
Major employers include:
Major employers include:
* The government-owned [[National Savings and Investments]], based at Marton, together with their random number generating computer ''[[ERNIE]]'' which picks the [[Premium Bond]] numbers.
* The government-owned POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!![[National Savings and Investments]], based at Marton, together with their random number generating computer ''[[ERNIE]]'' which picks the [[Premium Bond]] numbers.
* Other Government Agencies based at Warbreck and Norcross.
* Other Government Agencies based at Warbreck and Norcross.
* The sports car manufacturer [[TVR]]. (Blackpool was also the original site of [[Swallow Sidecar Company]] forerunner of [[Jaguar Cars]].)
* The sports car manufacturer [[TVR]]. (Blackpool was also the original site of [[Swallow Sidecar Company]] forerunner of [[Jaguar Cars]].)
* '''Burtons Foods''', producing biscuits and other bakery products.
* '''Burtons Foods'POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!', producing biscuits and other bakery products.
* '''Arvin Meritor''', which manufactures automotive components.
* '''Arvin Meritor''', which manufactures automotive components.
* The '''Glasdon Group''', known for its plastic products including litter bins, park benches and reflective road signs.
* The '''Glasdon Group''', known for its plPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!astic products including litter bins, park benches and reflective road signs.


Many Blackpool residents work in the retail sector, either in the town centre or the retail parks on the edge of town.
Many Blackpool residents work in the retail sector, either in the town centre or the retail parks on the edge of town.
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The town's [[Blackpool tramway|tramway]] was for a long time Britain's only working tramway outside of museums. However, other cities, including [[Manchester]] have been rebuilding their networks since the late [[20th century]].
The town's [[Blackpool tramway|tramway]] was for a long time Britain's only working tramway outside of museums. However, other cities, including [[Manchester]] have been rebuilding their networks since the late [[20th century]].


Blackpool had two railway termini with a total of over 30 platforms, mainly used by excursion traffic in the summer. [[Blackpool Central railway station|Blackpool Central]], close to the [[Blackpool Tower|Tower]], was closed in 1964, whilst [[Blackpool North railway station|Blackpool North]] was largely demolished and rebuilt as a smaller facility. The route of the former excursion line into Blackpool Central is now used as a link road from the M55 motorway to the town centre. The original 'main line' into Blackpool via [[Lytham St Annes]] now has a station serving [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]] but terminates at [[Blackpool South railway station|Blackpool South station]]. The line into North station is now the more important.
Blackpool had two railway termini with a total of over 30 platforms, mainly used by excursion traffic in the summer. [[Blackpool Central railway station|Blackpool Central]], close to the [[Blackpool Tower|Tower]], was closed in 1964, whilst [[Blackpool North railway statPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!on|Blackpool North]] was largely demolished and rPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ebuilt as a smaller facility. The route of the former excursion line into Blackpool Central is now used as POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!a link road from the M55 motorway to the town centre. The original 'main line' into Blackpool via [[Lytham St Annes]] now has a station serving [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]] but terminates at [[Blackpool South railway station|Blackpool South station]]. The line into North station is now the more important.


[[Blackpool Airport]] operates regular charter and scheduled flights. The airport is actually in St Annes although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into Blackpool Borough.
[[Blackpool Airport]] operates regular charter aPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!nd scheduled flights. The airport is actually in St Annes although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into Blackpool Borough.


The [[M55 motorway]] links the town to the national [[motorway]] network.
The [[M55 motorway]] links the town to the national [[motorway]] network.
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==Blackpool in film==
==Blackpool in film==
[[Image:BlackpoolTN.JPG|thumb|275px|View from the tower, looking south]]
[[Image:BlackpoolTN.JPG|thumb|275px|View from the tower, looking south]]
The resort is featured in the 1934 film ''[[Sing as We Go]]'', starring [[Gracie Fields]], as well as other cinema and TV productions, including ''Funny Bones'' (1995) starring [[Lee Evans (comedian)|Lee Evans]] and [[Oliver Platt]] and directed by St. Annes born Peter Chelsom, as well as '[[The Parole Officer (film)|The Parole Officer]]' (2001) starring [[Steve Coogan]].
The resort isPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! featured in the 1934 film ''[[Sing as We Go]]'', starring [[Gracie Fields]], as well as other cinema and TV productions, including ''Funny Bones'' (1995) starring [[Lee Evans (comedian)|Lee Evans]] and [[Oliver Platt]] and directed by St. POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Annes born Peter Chelsom, as well as '[[ThePOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! Parole Officer (film)|The Parole Officer]]' (2001) starring [[Steve Coogan]].


Blackpool was the locale for [[Laurence Olivier]]'s film ''[[The Entertainer (film)|The Entertainer]]'' (1960) for which he received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.
Blackpool was the locale for [[Laurence Olivier]]'s film ''[[The Entertainer (film)|The Entertainer]]'' (1960) for which he received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.


The Japanese film ''[[Shall We Dance (1996 film)|Shall We Dance]]'' (1996) closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool born and bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960's. In the [[Hollywood]] [[Shall We Dance (2004 film)|remake of the film]] (2004) Blackpool is mentioned but not shown. The remake was also directed by Peter Chelsom.
The Japanese film ''[[Shall We Dance (1996 film)|Shall We Dance]]'' (19POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!96) closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool born and bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960's. In the [[Hollywood]] [[Shall We Dance (2004 film)|remake of the film]] (2004) Blackpool is mentioned but not shown. The remake was also directed by Peter Chelsom.


Blackpool is the setting for ''[[Bhaji on the Beach]]'' (1993) directed by [[Gurinder Chadha]].
Blackpool is the setting for ''[[Bhaji on the Beach]]'' (1993) directed by [[Gurinder Chadha]].
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[[Image:Sands_tower.JPG|thumb|225px|Blackpool Sands, with Blackpool Tower and North Pier in the distance (Feb. 2006)]]
[[Image:Sands_tower.JPG|thumb|225px|Blackpool Sands, with Blackpool Tower and North Pier in the distance (Feb. 2006)]]
[[Image:BlackpoolNorPie.JPG|thumb|225px|North Pier, Blackpool (Nov. 2005)]]
[[Image:BlackpoolNorPie.JPG|thumb|225px|North Pier, Blackpool (Nov. 2005)]]
[[Image:BlackpoolWinGar.JPG|thumb|225px|The Winter Gardens, Blackpool]]
[[Image:BlackpoolWinGarPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!JPG|thumb|225px|The Winter Gardens, Blackpool]]
* [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool Football Club]], winners of the FA Cup in 1953.
* [[Blackpool F.C.|BlacPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!kpool Football Club]], winners of the FA Cup in 1953.
* [[Blackpool Panthers]] (founded in 2004) are a [[rugby league]] team competing in National league two.
* [[Blackpool Panthers]] (founded in 2004) are a [[rugby league]] team competing in National league two.
* [[Blackpool Zoo]] - provides a home to over 1500 animals from all over the world.
* [[Blackpool Zoo]] - provides a home to over 1500 animals from all over the world.
* [[Blackpool Dance Festival]] - World famous annual [[ballroom dance]] competition of international significance: [http://www.blackpooldancefestival.net home page]
* [[Blackpool Dance Festival]] - World famous annual [[ballroom dance]] competition of international significance: [http://www.blackpPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!omenade POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Show]] - Series of modern artwork installations along Blackpools south promenade. Includes the [[Blackpool High Tide Organ]] an unusual musical monument which uses the movements of the sea to make music.
* [[The Great Promenade Show]] - Series of modern artwork installations along Blackpools south promenade. Includes the [[Blackpool High Tide Organ]] an unusual musical monument which uses the movements of the sea to make music.
* [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]] - Theme park with lots of different attractions including the tallest rollercoaster in Europe.
* [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]] - Theme park with lots of different attractions including the tallest rollercoaster in Europe.
* [[The Sandcastle]] - A indoor Swimming Pool with Slides and Waves. Next to the South Pier.
* [[The Sandcastle]] - A indoor Swimming Pool with Slides and Waves. Next to the South Pier.
* [[Tower World]] - A huge complex of leisure facilities, entertainment venues and restaurants. Included is the famous [[Blackpool Tower]], Tower Ballroom and Tower Circus.
* [[Tower World]] - A huge complex of leisure facilities, entertainment venues and restaurants. Included is the famous [[Blackpool Tower]], Tower Ballroom and POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Tower Circus.
* [[Winter Gardens]] - Large entertainment and conference venue in the town centre.
* [[Winter Gardens]] - Large entertainment and conference venue in the town centre.
* [[North Pier, Blackpool|North Pier]] - The northernmost of Blackpool's three piers. It includes a small shopping arcade, a small tramway and a theatre at the end. It was damaged by a 1997 Christmas windstorm
* [[North Pier, Blackpool|North Pier]] - The northernmost of Blackpool's three piers. It includes a small shopping arcade, a small tramway and a theatre at the end. It was damaged by a 1997 Christmas windstorm
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* [[David Ball]] - musician ([[Soft Cell]])
* [[David Ball]] - musician ([[Soft Cell]])
* [[Zoë Ball]] - British TV and radio presenter
* [[Zoë Ball]] - British TV and radio presenter
* [[Roy Harper]] - musician
* [[Roy Harper]] POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!- musician
* [[Damian Eadie]] - television producer (''[[Countdown]]'')
* [[Damian Eadie]] - television producer (''[[Countdown]]'')
* [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]] - rock band
* [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro TulPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!l]] - rock band
* [[Chris Lowe]] - musician - ([[Pet Shop Boys]]) (attended [[Arnold School]])
* [[Chris Lowe]] - musician - ([[Pet Shop Boys]]) (attended [[Arnold School]])
* [[John Mahoney]] - actor (''[[Frasier]]'')
* [[John Mahoney]] - actor (''[[Frasier]]'')
* [[Graham Nash]] ([[The Hollies]], [[Crosby, Stills & Nash|Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young)]])
* [[Graham Nash]] ([[The Hollies]], [[Crosby, Stills & Nash|Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young)]])
* [[Maddy Prior]] - singer ([[Steeleye Span]])
* [[Maddy Prior]] - singer ([[Steeleye Span]])
* [[Peter Purves]] - TV presenter
* [[Peter Purves]] - TV pPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!resenter
* [[Darren Matthews|William Regal]] - ([[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) wrestler)
* [[Darren Matthews|William Regal]] - ([[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) wrestler)
* [[John Robb]] - TV presenter, musician
* [[John Robb]] - TV presenter, musician
* [[Ian Stuart Donaldson]] - chief lyricist and frontman of [[Skrewdriver]]
* [[Ian Stuart Donaldson]] - chief lyricist and frontman of [[Skrewdriver]]
* [[Michael Smith (chemist)]] - [[Nobel Prize]]-winning chemist
* [[MichaePOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!l Smith (chemist)]] - [[Nobel Prize]]-winning chemist
* [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] - musician ([[The Cure]])
* [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] - musician ([[The Cure]])
* [[Andy Summers]] - musician - ([[The Police]])
* [[APOO!!!POO!!!ndy SummPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ers]] - musician - ([[The Police]])
* [[David Thewlis]] - actor (Professor Lupin in ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'')
* [[David Thewlis]] - actor (Professor Lupin in ''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'')
* [[Ricky Tomlinson]] - actor (Jim Royle in ''[[The Royle Family]]'')
* [[Ricky Tomlinson]] - actor (Jim Royle in ''[[The Royle Family]]'')
Line 171: Line 170:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.visitblackpool.com Official tourism]
* [http://www.visitblackpPOO!!!POO!!!ool.com Official tourism]
* [http://www.mycountry.co.uk/town/gallery.asp?tid=893 Photos of Blackpool]
* [http://www.mycountry.co.uk/town/gallery.asp?tid=893 Photos of Blackpool]
* [http://www.vrblackpool.co.uk Virtual tour of Blackpool]
* [http://www.POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!vrblackpool.POO!!!POO!!!co.uk Virtual tour of Blackpool]
* [http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk Blackpool Football Club]
* [http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk Blackpool Football Club]POO!!!POO!!!kpool group at Flickr.com]
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/blackpool/ Blackpool group at Flickr.com]
* [http://www.oldstratforduponavon.com/blackpool A few old postcards of Blackpool]
* [http://www.oldstratforduponavon.com/blackpool A few old postcards of Blackpool]

* [http://www.havensholidays.co.uk Blackpool Holiday Break At Haven]
[[Category:Blackpool]]
[[Category:Blackpool]]
[[Category:Local government in Lancashire]]
[[Category:Local government in Lancashire]]

Revision as of 16:39, 7 August 2006

This article is about the town in POO!!!. For other uses of the name, see Blackpool (disambiguation).
Borough of Blackpool
Geography
Status: Unitary, Borough
Region: North West England
Ceremonial County: Lancashire
Area:
- Total		 Ranked 330th
34.92 km²
Admin. HQ: Blackpool
Grid reference: SD305365
ONS code: 00EY
Demographics
Population:
- Total (2022)
- Density		 Ranked

/ km²
Ethnicity: 98.4% White
Politics
Arms of Blackpool Borough Council
Blackpool Borough Council
http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/
Leadership: Leader & Cabinet
Executive:  
MPs: Joan Humble, Gordon Marsden

Blackpool is a seaside town in north-western England. It is traditionally part of Lancashire, but on April 1, 1998 the town was made into an independent unitary authority.

It is believed to get its name from a long gone drainage channel whichPOO!!!POO!!! waters of the Irish Sea. (In Gaelic, Black Pool is Dubh Lihn, which in turn became Dublin.)

It is generally believPOO!!!POO!!!ed locally that people originating from Blackpool are called "Sand Grown" or "Sandgrown'uns," but these terms may be applied to natives of any littoral settlement.

The town boundaries are drawn very tightly, and exclude the nearby settlements of Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Anne's. Blackpool Borough, unlike its neighbours, is almost completely urbanisedPOO!!!POO!!!

Economy

This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Blackpool at current basic prices published (pp.240-253) by Office for National Statistics with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.

Year Regional Gross Value AddedTemplate:Fn AgricultureTemplate:Fn IndustryTemplate:Fn ServicesTemplate:Fn
1995 1,276 9 276 992
2000 1,444 1 210 1,234
2003 1,598 1 220 1,377

Template:Fnb includes hunting and forestry

Template:Fnb iPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ncludes energy and construction

Template:Fnb includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured POO!!! Template:Fnb Components may not sum to totals due to rounding

Tourism

Blackpool is heaPOO!!!POO!!!vily dependent on tourism. Major attractions include:

In what is often regarded as its heyday (1900-1950), Blackpool thrived as the factory workers of northern England took their annual holidays there en masse. Any photograph from that era shows crowds ofPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! tourists on the beach and promenade. Blackpool was also a preferred destination of visiPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!tors from Glasgow and remains so to this day. POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Reputedly, the town still has more hotel beds than the whole of Portugal. The town went into decline when cheap air travel arrived in the 1960s and the same workers decamped to the Mediterranean coast resorts due to competitive prices and the more reliable weather. Today, many visitors stay for the weekend rather than for a week at a time. Blackpool is continually striving to improve its position within today's tourist inPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!dustry. One controversial proposal, which has the involvement of the POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!local council, is to transform Blackpool into a casino resort along the lines of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, making it the centre point of gambling in the UK. This plan is dependent on the selection of Blackpool as the location of Britain's first "super-casino", following the sligPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ht liberalisation of Britain's gambling laws. POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! A controversial aspect of Blackpool's night-life is its hen and stag parties. Brides or bridegrooms-to-be respectively, along with their friends, often dressed aPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!like in absurd or risqué attire, roam the town's many bars and clubs getting iPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ncreasingly drunk. Their rowdy behaviour is claimed to discourage family visitors POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!and has led to complaints from hotel and guest house owners keePOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!n to attract a more upmarket clientele.

Blackpool has gained renown as a lesbian and gay dPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!estination, with clubs such as the Flamingo, Mardi Gras, the Flying Handbag pub, and many gay-only hotels and guest-houses. These tend to be inland, nearer to the North statPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ion than the sea front.

The Tower and Illuminations

There is a tranPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!svestite show bar, Funny Girls, alongside the Flamingo in the building that was formerly the Odeon Cinema; the building retains many of its Art Deco features.

Blackpool remains a summer entertainment venue, specialising in variety shows featuring entertainers such as Ken Dodd. Outside the main holidPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] and the TGWU with thousands of delegates and visitors, to substantially smaller gatherings such as the CWU or NUS conferences.

Blackpool Illuminations in September and October, consisting of a series of lighted displays and collages arranged along the entire length of the sea front (11 km/7 miles), attract many visitors at a time when some resorts' holiday seasons have begun to end.

Non-tourist industry

Major employers include:

  • The government-owned POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!National Savings and Investments, based at Marton, together with their random number generating computer ERNIE which picks the Premium Bond numbers.
  • Other Government Agencies based at Warbreck and Norcross.
  • The sports car manufacturer TVR. (Blackpool was also the original site of Swallow Sidecar Company forerunner of Jaguar Cars.)
  • Burtons Foods'POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!', producing biscuits and other bakery products.
  • Arvin Meritor, which manufactures automotive components.
  • The Glasdon Group, known for its plPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!astic products including litter bins, park benches and reflective road signs.

Many Blackpool residents work in the retail sector, either in the town centre or the retail parks on the edge of town.

Transport infrastructure

A double-decker balloon tram on the promenade at Bispham
Tramway route

The town's tramway was for a long time Britain's only working tramway outside of museums. However, other cities, including Manchester have been rebuilding their networks since the late 20th century.

Blackpool had two railway termini with a total of over 30 platforms, mainly used by excursion traffic in the summer. Blackpool Central, close to the Tower, was closed in 1964, whilst Blackpool North was largely demolished and rPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!ebuilt as a smaller facility. The route of the former excursion line into Blackpool Central is now used as POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!a link road from the M55 motorway to the town centre. The original 'main line' into Blackpool via Lytham St Annes now has a station serving Blackpool Pleasure Beach but terminates at Blackpool South station. The line into North station is now the more important.

Blackpool Airport operates regular charter aPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!nd scheduled flights. The airport is actually in St Annes although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into Blackpool Borough.

The M55 motorway links the town to the national motorway network.

Blackpool in film

View from the tower, looking south

The resort isPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!! featured in the 1934 film Sing as We Go, starring Gracie Fields, as well as other cinema and TV productions, including Funny Bones (1995) starring Lee Evans and Oliver Platt and directed by St. POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Annes born Peter Chelsom, as well as 'The Parole Officer' (2001) starring Steve Coogan.

Blackpool was the locale for Laurence Olivier's film The Entertainer (1960) for which he received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.

The Japanese film Shall We Dance (19POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!96) closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool born and bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960's. In the Hollywood remake of the film (2004) Blackpool is mentioned but not shown. The remake was also directed by Peter Chelsom.

Blackpool is the setting for Bhaji on the Beach (1993) directed by Gurinder Chadha.

The film Like It Is (IMDB) (1998) directed by Paul Oremland was also partly filmed in Blackpool. The opening scenes were filmed in the Flamingo.

The 2005 television comedy/thriller series Funland revolved around the fictionalized, seedier aspects of Blackpool.

The town of Blackpool also features heavily in the BBC television serial Blackpool starring David Morrissey and first broadcast in 2005 along with the one-off follow-up Viva Blackpool, broadcast in June 2006.

Local media

Local attractions, culture, and facilities

Central Pier, Blackpool (Feb. 2006)
Blackpool Sands, with Blackpool Tower and North Pier in the distance (Feb. 2006)
North Pier, Blackpool (Nov. 2005)
File:BlackpoolWinGarPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!JPG
The Winter Gardens, Blackpool
  • BlacPOO!!!POO!!!POO!!!kpool Football Club, winners of the FA Cup in 1953.
  • Blackpool Panthers (founded in 2004) are a rugby league team competing in National league two.
  • Blackpool Zoo - provides a home to over 1500 animals from all over the world.
  • Blackpool Dance Festival - World famous annual ballroom dance competition of international significance: POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Show] - Series of modern artwork installations along Blackpools south promenade. Includes the Blackpool High Tide Organ an unusual musical monument which uses the movements of the sea to make music.
  • Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Theme park with lots of different attractions including the tallest rollercoaster in Europe.
  • The Sandcastle - A indoor Swimming Pool with Slides and Waves. Next to the South Pier.
  • Tower World - A huge complex of leisure facilities, entertainment venues and restaurants. Included is the famous Blackpool Tower, Tower Ballroom and POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!POO!!!Tower Circus.
  • Winter Gardens - Large entertainment and conference venue in the town centre.
  • North Pier - The northernmost of Blackpool's three piers. It includes a small shopping arcade, a small tramway and a theatre at the end. It was damaged by a 1997 Christmas windstorm
  • Central Pier - The middle pier. It includes a large theme park and shopping.
  • South Pier - The southernmost pier. Almost directly opposite the Pleasure Beach, it houses a large theme park.
  • Louis Tussaud's Waxworks - Similar to the famous Madame Tussauds, featuring wax models of celebrities, musicians, sports personalities and the famous Chamber of Horrors

Notable people from Blackpool

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