Restoration
Winter Gardens Blackpool stands as a beacon of cultural and historical significance, having first opened its doors in 1878. As we celebrated our 140th anniversary in 2018, we are reminded of the venue’s rich heritage and the critical role it plays in Blackpool’s visitor economy. Maintaining this Grade 2* listed building, however, presents unique challenges. With the passage of time, ensuring that the venue remains operational, functional, and suitable for the needs of modern-day events and audiences requires substantial investment. Annually, over £500k is already committed to routine maintenance, but the essential repairs and upgrades needed to preserve our beloved venue’s unique character significantly increase this figure.
Restoration Levy
In July 2021, we introduced a Restoration Levy of £1.75 on all tickets purchased, both online and in-person at our box office. This levy is ring-fenced exclusively for the essential upkeep of the Winter Gardens Blackpool. After VAT deductions, £1.46 from every ticket sold is directed towards the venue’s maintenance and restoration projects. With an annual ticket sales average of 150,000, this initiative generates approximately £218,750, ensuring we can continue to host the biggest shows, events, and gigs. We commit to full transparency, guaranteeing that every penny of the Restoration Levy is invested wisely in the venue’s upkeep.
Donate
We now offer the opportunity for you to contribute directly to the Winter Gardens Blackpool’s future through donations. Each donation will be ring-fenced for the preservation and restoration of our Grade 2* listed venue, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of Blackpool’s cultural and historical heritage. Whether large or small, your restoration donation will be directly invested in maintaining the venue’s operational, functional, and aesthetic needs to welcome modern-day events and audiences.
We pledge complete transparency in the management of your contributions, ensuring every donation is utilised effectively to protect, restore, and maintain the venue’s unique character for present and future generations.
In advance, we wish to express our deepest gratitude. Your generosity could significantly impact the venue, which we, alongside you, deeply cherish. We are dedicated to working tirelessly to safeguard the Winter Gardens Blackpool for now and for the years to come.
Restoration Projects
NEW ART-DECO LOUNGE LAUNCHED FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE REFURBISHMENT
September 2023
Winter Gardens Blackpool has unveiled a stunning Art-Deco space which saw a major refurbishment plan to reinstate the original features to provide a luxurious hideaway for guests, with table service, to enjoy while visiting the venue to watch a show.
Guests will arrive through the double sand-etched doors featuring geometric shapes and curves and walk into a space that is reminiscent of the 1939 space when the room was first built as part of the Winter Gardens complex.
Welcomed by a host they will be able to take a seat on one of the seven original refurbished banquettes that have been re-sprung and recovered and admire the original wooden friezes of figurines, installed by architects Magnall and Littlewood, while enjoying a complementary pre-show drink.
Opera house seat replacements
June 2022
Restoration work has started on the 654 chairs on the balcony – which have been there since the venue was built in 1939. Over the years they have seated over 45 million guests including Her Majesty The Queen.
On Monday 21st February 2022 the seats were carefully dismantled by hand, by a team of five workers.
They were taken down to the ground floor in a lift – and sent off to Evertaut – a theatre seating specialist in Blackburn – to be reupholstered.
All seats in rows A – D, and part of row E, will be given brand new backs and seat pads. The cast iron bases will be french polished, and the legs will be painted gold.
