BLACKPOOL'S famous Winter Gardens could be re-born as an emporium which would allow visitors to take in a show after a day of indoor shopping.

The whole future of the complex is under scrutiny after entertainment giant Leisure Parcs launched a 12-month feasibility study into building a state-of-the-art conference centre on a site next to Blackpool central police station - now a council car park.

But while such a possibility was hailed as a potential lifesaver for Blackpool, it would leave the Winter Gardens - the resort's current major conference venue which was condemned as outdated by the Labour Party last year - open for transformation.

The Grade 2 listed building would be protected from structural change, but other towns like Glasgow and Bolton have created classy shopping malls inside similar historic buildings.

Leisure Parcs, which owns Blackpool Tower and piers as well as the Winter Gardens, said that until the feasibility study was complete they did not want to speculate on alternative options.

But resort business leaders believe a top-notch retail centre could raise Blackpool's profile, especially if it were linked to the nearby Hounds Hill shopping centre by a roofed Victoria Street.

Blackpool Council regeneration chairman Coun George Bancroft said personally he found the idea attractive: "If we could make it an all-inclusive shopping area which would complement the Hounds Hill we could have a shopping centre to be really proud of and match anywhere in the country," he said.

And Town Centre Forum manager Nigel Hanson said: "The Winter Gardens a wonderful building and it would certainly make superb surroundings for something like a shopping emporium.

"If it enhanced the retail offer of the town I'm sure a lot of local and regional residents would be the first to say we'd welcome that."

Leisure Parcs stress the future of the adjacent Opera House is assured as the company intends to strengthen its role as a major regional entertainment venue.

But as for the rest of the complex, a spokeswoman went on: "It is a fantastic building and protected under Grade 2 listing. I'm sure there'll always be a role for it, but what that will be is impossible to say right now."

While the feasibility study goes on, Blackpool Council has agreed not to dispose of the central car park site or negotiate with anyone else.

Council leader Ivan Taylor said the development of high-quality modern conference facilities were vital to Blackpool's future and chief executive Graham Essex-Crosby said it would be an important first step on the road to Blackpool's regeneration.

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said: "I'm extremely encouraged that Leisure Parcs is carrying out this feasibility study. I think it's potentially an excellent site to help regenerate the centre of Blackpool.

"But whatever the future of the Winter Gardens I do think they need to refurbish them now so that we can keep the current conference trade.

"Even if they go ahead on the new site in 12 months time, it will be at best two or three years before it is complete."

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