Blackpool: why restaurants are starting a new vibrant scene, making the resort a must for nights out
It’s not just diners and fun lovers who are feeling the love for the seaside resort classic, but up and coming entrepreneurs like Jake Whittington who loves the new Manchester Quarter vibe so much he has setup a number of businesses in the town.
He looked beyond the candyfloss and kiss-me-quick hat reputation to see the potential Blackpool has for a vibrant food and drink scene by the sea.
Jake, moved from Brighton to Preston in 2014, then opened Dirty Blondes in Blackpool, having found the perfect, unsung location. He said: “I’m not a born local, and I’d be the first to admit I was somewhat hesitant to open a venue in Blackpool. I moved from Brighton to Preston in 2015 and only had a few trips to Blackpool before the opening of Dirty Blondes, never seeing past the harsh exterior and my outlook of the town purely based on reputation.
“Originally, the plan was to open in Preston, however, my business partner owned a building down a back alley, which had been vacant for years and wanted to show me before we committed anywhere else. Funnily enough, I’d walked past the Back Church Street building before, thinking to myself “who would open a venue down a back alley, in the middle of Blackpool?” As it turns out, me!”
What happened next was engagement with the local community and Blackpool Bid, to see the potential for his business in the town. He added: “After falling in love with the building and seeing how the brand will sit within the town, I was sold.
“In our first few months I started to see the real side of the town that isn’t seen on the prom. There’s a rumbling of talented creatives, gritty entrepreneurs, a hypnotising sense of community and quite possibly, the best underdog story you can imagine.”
And Dirty Blondes is not the only success story adding to the upbeat vibe drawing all ages and demographics in, places like The Wok Inn, Upside Down, Stefani’s, The Bank Bar & Grill, Mamma’s Ristorante, and Twisted Indian, award winning and forward-thinking businesses who have a relentless passion for their product, are adding to the mix. Jake has added Common Bar & Kitchen, Nook and Neighbourhood Subs to his own business empire, with more excitement to come.
Jake added: “The sense of community flows through more than just hospitality, having the opportunity to work people like Stuart from Counselling in the Community, Neil from Blackpool Food Bank and the Blackpool BID reinforces my belief that Blackpool is on the edge of something special.”
Blackpool Town Centre Business Improvement District - A better town centre for everyone, working to improve the visitor experience and to promote Blackpool Town Centre as a safe, clean place to do business, work, visit, shop and dine.