Work to begin on creating new Blackpool food destination after councillors approve shipping container plans

The developers behind Southbeach Streetfood hope to open for business in February next year after Blackpool Council’s planning committee agreed their application to install 19 shipping containers on the site.

Members of the committee went against a recommendation by planning officers to refuse the application on the grounds it could fuel obesity, after hearing the investment would help regenerate the area.

Speaking after the meeting, developer Nick Lowe said: “We are very pleased to have been given the backing of the planning committee who said they believed in us.

“During the meeting we were able to set out our proposals in detail and show the food we will serve will be healthy, but also enjoyable.

“The planning committee shared our vision that we can spearhead regeneration in South Shore, and we are now looking forward to opening Southbeach Streetfood next February.”

Nick, who is hoping to develop the site along with fellow businessmen Jamie Willacy and Andrew Bradshaw, said the next steps would be to finalise agreements with the council and level the land before the shipping containers are brought in and fitted out.

The site must still go out to tender and a lease must be agreed, but if a deal is finalised, the trio are poised to invest around £750,000 in the project which has been designed by local architect Joseph Boniface.

Fresh food from around the globe sourced from local suppliers would be served from the shipping containers, mirroring similar street food destinations which have already proved popular in cities such as London and Manchester.

The scheme, with seating for up to 400 diners, is also expected to create up to 80 new jobs with some chefs already recruited.

There would also be entertainment space to host events and music, with screens to show big sporting occasions such as Wimbledon.

It comes after the council advertised for prospective operators for the council-owned site.

The site, between Withnell Road and Osborne Road, was previously home to the Carnesky’s Ghost Train, operated by the council.