Blackpool’s £30m Winter Gardens upgrade is on track to pay for itself in economic benefit from corporate events six years after its 2022 completion.
Meet Blackpool, the iconic North-West coastal town’s conference bureau, reveals that corporate events have already generated £3,233,775 in economic benefit for the local area in 2025 – exceeding its annual target of £2.2 million for the financial year ending March 2026 seven months ahead of schedule.
Just five months into the financial year, Blackpool has already achieved a 12% year-on-year increase on the £2.89 million in revenue generated from events in FY2024/2025 – highlighting Blackpool’s growing reputation as a versatile and distinctive destination for business tourism.
More broadly, this milestone represents a remarkable 220% uplift in revenue over just three years since FY2022/23 – a period that has seen significant investment in infrastructure, including the Blackpool Town Deal and the £350 million Talbot Gateway transformation project now entering its third phase and scheduled for completion in 2027.
A cornerstone of Blackpool’s growing success as a leading UK conference destination over the past three years, is the £30 million purpose-built Conference and Exhibition Centre, which opened in 2022 as a seamless extension to the historic Winter Gardens. Together, the venue offers a combined capacity of 7,000 delegates across 2,400 sqm and 12 interlinked event spaces, including iconic heritage spaces such as the Empress Ballroom, Opera House, and Spanish Hall.
This year alone, Blackpool’s Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre has hosted notable events for the likes of Beaverbrooks, National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Northern Premier League (NPL), National Farm Attractions’ Network (NFAN), The Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Chartered Trading Standards.
Looking ahead to FY2036/2027, Meet Blackpool is already on track to hit a near-70% YoY increase in revenue – with over 5 million pounds worth of booking enquires and confirmations lined up. Continuing on this upwards trajectory, the conference bureau is expected to be bringing over £10 million per year to the town of Blackpool – or a total of £30 million in total economic benefit by 2028 since the Winter Gardens extension was built in 2022.
Julie Vincent, Head of Meet Blackpool, says: “We’re proud to see Blackpool’s conference economy thriving. Surpassing our annual target with several months to go reflects not just the hard work of our hospitality partners, but the confidence event organisers have in Blackpool as a credible, high-impact destination. From major conferences and exhibitions to corporate team away days, the town is proving it can deliver delegate experiences that are both outstanding and unforgettable.
“What’s more, Blackpool is showing how business tourism can be a powerful force for regeneration in coastal towns – attracting year-round footfall, boosting local spend, and helping reposition destinations that have long been seen purely as leisure resorts – as reputable business hubs.”
Meet Blackpool provides a full-service support programme for event planners, from venue finding and accommodation sourcing, to logistics and catering – ensuring events run smoothly from planning to delivery.
With event bookings already confirmed for as far as November 2027, Blackpool continues to position itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic, emerging MICE destinations.
Boasting three historic piers, eleven Grade II listed buildings, and internationally recognised attractions like Blackpool Tower and Pleasure Beach, Blackpool’s unique blend of modern spaces, heritage venues and nostalgic coastal views adds genuine character to business events that makes it a standout alternative to other UK resorts.
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About Meet Blackpool:
Meet Blackpool is the official conference and meetings bureau for Blackpool, working closely with businesses to organise stand-out corporate events across its iconic venues.
From finding venues, sourcing accommodation, managing logistics and arranging catering, Meet Blackpool provides a complete solution for event organisers to ensure a smooth planning and delivery process from start to finish, and an unforgettable experience for delegates.
Dedicated to promoting Blackpool as a premiere destination for corporate events, Meet Blackpool leverages Blackpool’s rich selection of venues to provide tailored events solutions, including the £30M, 2,000 capacity Conference and Events Centre.
Meet Blackpool is backed by Blackpool Council’s £2B+ Growth and Prosperity Programme, working together to drive high-value business events into the local area.
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