Blackpool Complex: Bringing State-of-the-Art Lodging to a Well-loved Seaside Resort Town
Introduction
Blackpool, one of the UK’s oldest seaside resorts, attracts an estimated 13.4 million people annually however the majority of visitors do not stay in hotels and those that do, tend to stay in budget accomodation. The town suffers from severe economic deprivation however recent efforts by ReBlackpool, the urban regeneration company, have begun the process of transforming Blackpool into a 21st century world-class resort. Hotel in a Box was engaged by the Hotel Solutions Partnership to assist in developing a business plan for a mixed-use development that includes a hotel, residential apartments and a spa.
The Site
A 3,000 square meter property located directly on Blackpool’s waterfront promenade. The site is in the more tranquil South Beach area of the resort town and is situated next to some small hotels catering to the senior and family segments of the tourist market.
Our Assignment
Hotel in a Box conducted both field and desk research to determine whether there is a gap between supply and demand in the Blackpool hotel market. Working with a team from the Hotel Solutions Partnership, we delivered a business plan that recommends the optimal number, type and size of rooms, the hotel’s food & beverage outlets, and the appropriate balance of meeting, function and spa facilities. Our report has informed discussions between the site’s owner and a major international hotel brand.