Blackpool Tower reopened to public

Blackpool Tower reopened to public NEWS

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After being closed to the public for 10 months, Blackpool Tower has reopened on completion of a £20m restoration project.

The 10-month regeneration project is part of a £20m investment aimed to encourage families to stay longer in the Blackpool beach resort.

James Burleigh, from Merlin Entertainments, which runs the complex, said: 'It's a magnificent icon within the resort and we have to look after it and care for it.'

Much of the Grade I listed structure has been closed to the public since being bought by the Blackpool Council. Councillor Graham Cain has said that people are 'seeing a new side of Blackpool' as part of the town's £250m regeneration programme.

The Tower is now home to a 4D cinema and the observation platform at the top of the structure features the Blackpool Tower Eye and a skywalk, which is an area of floor-to-ceiling glass that overlooks the sea.

'Tourism is the town's key revenue driver, and we have to get this right in order to deal successfully with some of the social programmes, which are so important to the town.' Cain said.

Manager of the tower, Kate Shane, said: 'We used to have a walk of faith, which was a metre square of glass which looked down the legs of the tower. Now the entire west elevation is glass.

'It makes the back of your knees go, but on clear days you can see Cumbria and over to the Isle of Man.'

The reopening of the tower comes a day before the alter-ego of comedian Leigh Francis, Keith Lemon, turns on the Blackpool Illuminations.