The Stage

Blackpool’s North Pier theatre to close

Published Tuesday 14 March 2006 at 11:50 by Robin Duke

Leisure Parcs has confirmed that Blackpool’s North Pier theatre will close this summer, ending months of speculation that the famous venue was poised to go dark.

The company has taken the decision not to host any productions at the pier this year, but is considering several possible uses for the Grade II listed site, including an “interactive heritage exhibition”.

Leisure Parcs marketing manager Jon Sheehy explained: “Of Leisure Parcs’ 3.5 million annual customers in Blackpool, less than 1.5% paid to see a show last year on North Pier. In contrast, we entertained more guests in just one week at the Tower Circus than the whole season at North Pier’s theatre.”

In addition to the decline in theatregoers, the closure was also due to changing audience demands, he explained.

“While promoters, artists and venue operators will all have commercial judgements to make, it is our customers who really matter,” he added. “Last year we conducted our biggest survey yet of entertainment throughout the resort, taking several months to speak in depth with a wide range of regular and new Blackpool visitors.”

The feedback has resulted in more daytime performances of the Tower Circus, a longer run for Legends, an increasing number of one-nighters in the Winter Gardens, and a new line-up in the Tower Ballroom.

Andrew Oldham was employed on a contract basis each season as theatre manager at North Pier for 11 years. He also promoted last summer’s show starring The Krankies and Bucks Fizz, and said that he believed that Leisure Parcs had wanted to close the venue for some time.

“It was obvious that Leisure Parcs wanted to close it [last summer],” he said. “Their lack of investment and promotion is a disgrace. There’s so much history at North Pier. Anyone who is anyone has played there.”

He claimed three promoters had put in bids for the summer spot at their own risk but had been turned down by Leisure Parcs. “I have been told that it will be closed just for this season but once it closes it’s gone,” he added. “The people of Blackpool should demand answers. We can’t afford to lose another theatre.”

Full plans of the Leisure Parcs 2006 season will be revealed on April 6.