'Ghost town' claims prompt questions over Blackpool office developments

The move towards more home working has raised questions about the regeneration policy which has seen the council buy up properties around King Street in recent times for undisclosed sums.

Coun David Owen told a meeting of the tourism, economy and communities scrutiny committee: “With all the changes Covid has brought about Bickerstaffe House is a ghost town.

“Will there be demand to buy such a large office development and is our ambition thwarted by the recent events?”

Coun Maxine Callow said she had raised her concerns before, and added: “I have heard from someone who works at Warbreck House that they will never go back to what they were.

“Much as I want to see regeneration, we don’t want a ghost town and office accommodation is no longer needed on the scale it was before.”

The meeting was told offices would not be built until a firm deal had been struck with the client.

Nick Gerrard, growth and prosperity programme director at the council, said details had to be kept under wraps at the moment as the council had signed a confidentiality agreement.

But he added: “The people with whom we are negotiating have undertaken a Covid review during lockdown as this matter was on their mind and ours.

“They have confirmed their requirements are maintained.”

Coun Mark Smith, cabinet member for business, enterprise and job creation, said the council still had an aspiration to encourage town centre working to support the economy although “in these challenging times it might be more difficult.”