Merlin Entertainments has submitted a revised planning application for a new £2.3m attraction in the council-owned Golden Mile Centre on Blackpool’s promenade.
Merlin’s original plans were revealed in 2021 and approved in May 2022. According to LancsLive, the company has submitted a revised planning application that involves converting the space beneath the Sea Life aquarium.
“It is another IP-led attraction and we are just finalising the details before we can reveal anything further,” Kate Shane, regional director for Merlin, told the publication.
“It will be a brand-led attraction and is due to open in the first half of this year.”
New proposals for Golden Mile Centre
“Merlin is making another investment to underwrite the successes we have seen over the last couple of years in terms of how our business has performed,” she added.
“It is to complement the family offer in Blackpool and about increasing the appeal of families to come to Blackpool.”
The new attraction will join Merlin Entertainment‘s existing venues in Blackpool – Sea Life Blackpool, Madame Tussauds, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Blackpool Tower.
It also joins Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play, which was opened by Merlin in February 2022, as well as the Sandcastle Waterpark. The company now serves as the managing agent for the UK’s largest indoor water park.
“Our outlook for 2023 is there are challenges everyone is facing in terms of personal finances, but we believe people still want to make memories with their friends and families,” Shane said.
“As money is tighter, people want a guarantee of getting good value for their money and that’s what we want to deliver.”
Elsewhere, Merlin has revealed plans to make the London Eye a permanent visitor attraction on the South Bank.
Last year, Merlin named Scott O’Neil as its new CEO. He replaced Nick Varney, who has retired after 23 years.
Images: Merlin Entertainments
