CAMPAIGNERS are keeping up their fight to save South Shore's historic solarium despite failing to get a £530,000 Lottery grant.

The South Shore Solarium Community Group was desperately disappointed to be knocked back after working for three years to raise £680,000 to convert the boarded-up 1930s seafront building into an arts and cultural centre for the area.

Blackpool Council, which owns the site, had offered £125,000 to help the Lottery bid and the rest was coming from hoteliers and businesses, including North West Water.

But the Lottery charities board said the bid was not sufficiently charitable - though it did suggest trying other lottery boards, such as heritage or new opportunities.

The group's chairwoman, hotelier Susan Azzopardi, said: "We are very disappointed - a lot of hard work went into the project from the whole community and the council and to be turned down because they say we're not charitable enough is upsetting."

But, she added: "We are looking at other ways of raising the money.

"The council may still back us with the original amount and we're trying to interest other bodies in using it as an exhibition centre."

Blackpool Council is not giving up either.

Executive member for tourism and economic development, Coun George Bancroft ruled out the threat of selling the site for redevelopment.

He said: "Council policy is that we want to retain it for community use and there's no indication we want to change that."

One option, he went on, would be to incorporate it in the South Shore Gateway Project - a revamp of the promenade based on the ongoing massive new sea defence work.

This is funded partly by the Blackpool Challenge Partnership which could channel money into making it a visitor centre with displays about the enhancement work, plus a cafe to generate income.

Another option is to make a new bid to the other lotteries boards, but it was rejected for listed building status which may militate against a heritage grant.

Thirdly, said Coun Bancroft, they could encourage interest from private firms - one has already suggested converting it into a glassmaking and visitor centre and another into a health centre.

"The first option would probably look most interesting as it would minimise any delay - we don't really want it boarded up for another season."

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