The Stage

Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom suffers partial ceiling collapse

Published Monday 8 February 2010 at 16:35 by Robin Duke

Future events at Blackpool’s historic Empress Ballroom could be in doubt after part of its ceiling collapsed.

Winter Gardens bosses called off a concert by indie band Enter Shikari last weekend when pieces of plaster from the room’s ornate ceiling fell to the ballroom floor during a soundcheck.

Forthcoming events could now be in jeopardy while structural engineers investigate the problem.

“During the course of the day the concert was to take place some small pieces of plaster fell from the ceiling creating a snow effect on the ballroom floor,” said MIchael Williams, operations director of venue owners Leisure Parcs. “As a precaution and after consulting the show promoter we had to cancel the Enter Shikari concert.

“We will now arrange a full structural inspection and in the meantime to avoid further disruption to clients and ticket holders, shows will be transferred to other venues.”

The ballroom has hosted the World Matchplay darts tournament since 1994 and is also a centre for ballroom dancing and streetdance.

The Winter gardens is currently the subject of a £40 million plus bid from Blackpool Council which also includes The Tower and various Golden Mile attractions.