BLACKPOOL could be saying goodbye to its eyesore Talbot Road bus station in a multi-million pound regeneration project.

London-based Chelverton Properties has proposed a new foodstore, eight-screen cinema, retail warehouse and 1,200-space car park on a 14-acre site, demolishing the 1950s built bus station, multi-storey car park and shops, pubs and clubs at the back of it.

A new bus facility and road improvements would also be included.

As revealed in the Citizen on July 29, Blackpool Council has been actively seeking developers to regenerate this run-down area around Blackpool North Station - the resort's major rail gateway.

Executive member for tourism and development George Bancroft said: "We're delighted to have been approached by Chelverton Properties and look forward to working alongside them on such an exciting development for the town.

"Talbot Road and the bus station area has long been in need of redevelopment and this scheme will be a vital component in bringing lasting regeneration to the Talbot Road area and Blackpool as a whole, which is great news.

"The council is confident that the scheme can link the newly-refurbished town centre and the town's principal railway station to deliver a real boost to retail, leisure and employment."

Chelverton Properties' Chris Vaughan said: "Although the plans are currently at an early stage, Chelverton believes this scheme can become a flagship development for the area."

But existing business owners who would be displaced are wary. Colin Blanthorn, who owns Peter Jones Carpets and six flats opposite the bus station, said: "Obviously the development would be fantastic for the town centre, but it's early days in the negotiations.

"I have not been consulted at all regarding the development of this scheme, so I was surprised to hear about it through the media. The only correspondence I've had are two letters from surveyors acting for the developers.

"Peter Jones Carpets celebrates 25 years of trading in Talbot Road in April 2000 and being the only town centre carpet store and having a good business I don't really want to relocate."

Barrie Eastwood, landlord of the Wheatsheaf pub, said: "It's all conjecture at the moment. Any development is good if somebody's willing to come in and spend some money in the town, it's long overdue.

"But I'm worried that they might rip the whole heart out of the community. This is a community pub and if it comes down, where are the customers going to relocate to? All that'll be left will be theme pubs full of youngsters and serving keg beer."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.