Police set to move to Progress House

And the council is set to sell off its former Progress House site in order for it to be transformed into the town’s replacement police base.

The council aims to take control of the Bonny Street building to help its future plans to develop the former Central Station site, seen as a key part of the resort’s future.

And Lancashire Police is hoping to put a purpose built modern police station at the Progress House site in Marton to better serve its Western Division, including Blackpool, the Fylde and Wyre.

The Progress House offices have now been demolished but were empty since council staff were transferred to new offices last year.

A £21m pot of cash had been set aside for the relocation of the police station since 2012, after warnings the Bonny Street building was coming to the end of its useful life.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “I can confirm negotiations with Blackpool Council regarding the possible purchase of the Clifton Road site for a new divisional HQ are progressing and alongside that we are also negotiating to sell the Bonny Street site to the council.

“I am keen to see a town centre presence maintained and I am looking at where an enquiry desk may be based after we vacate Bonny Street.

“No decision has been made, but there are a number of sites for us to consider throughout the town centre.”

Simon Blackburn, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The executive is being asked to approve a proposal to sell Progress House to Lancashire Constabulary.

“This would maintain the land as an employment site and provide the police with an ideal location to serve the whole of the Fylde coast with effective access to Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

“As people will be aware, the sale of the former Progress House site – along with other sites like Westgate House – is part of the office rationalisation plan we’ve had for many years in relation to the move to the town centre.

“This has allowed for the regeneration of a key area – the Talbot Gateway Central Business District – and has brought hundreds of workers into the town centre, providing a massive boost to the local economy and local shops.

“As people have long been aware, and as was highlighted recently, we’re looking to redevelop the Central Car Park site, however, this is an extremely complex puzzle to unlock. Linked to the decision to sell Progress House, the Executive is also being asked to give permission for officers to explore the possible purchase of Bonny Street Police Station which would help to free up that site for future development.”

Coun Don Clapham, from the council’s opposition Conservative group, said: “I am delighted they are going to buy the Bonny Street site because that is one of the major obstacles in the way of the proper development of the former Central Station site. But we still need a police presence in the town centre.”