Future secured for Blackpool town centre restaurants

Town hall planners have approved an application by Neil Boulton to use an empty property on Birley Street as a restaurant and bar, while the council has renewed the lease with the operators of the Beach House.

The Birley Street premises, which have previously operated as Mochaccino’s, will be upgraded including the addition of a bar and new signage plus proposals for outdoor seating.

A planning decision notice says the “inclusion of a bar area would be complimentary to the existing restaurant use and would enhance the business offerings and support the town centre. ”

It adds: “The expansion/diversification of the business is likely to encourage patrons to stay longer at the restaurant and spend more money at the premises.

“The enhanced offering would support a local business and local employer.”

Birley Street is home to Brilliance, the illuminated and musical arches installed by the council to promote the street as a focus for bar and restaurants, including outdoor seating areas.

Meanwhile the Beach House restaurant and bar, which is part of the council-owned Festival House on Central Promenade, has had its lease extended for another 15 years by the council.

The tenant, Blackpool Parks Ltd which is operated by Hagop Tchobanian, has been running the venue since it opened 10 years ago.

A council report setting out the decision says: “The tenant has occupied the premises since October 2012 and the unit is fitted out as a bar and restaurant, with outdoor terrace.

“As the current lease is nearing an end, terms have been agreed for a new lease to provide both continuity of tenure for the tenant and comfort of a break clause for the landlord in the event of any major breaches.”

Details of the lease have been kept under wraps due to commercial sensitivity, but the renewal is subject to rent reviews after five and 10 years.

Festival House was designed by Alex de Rijke, who was the architectural dean at the Royal College of Art from 2011-2015, and also includes the Wedding Chapel and Blackpool’s Tourist Information Centre.