Construction on fifth phase of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration begins

Construction has commenced on a new workspace in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway which we’re delivering alongside Blackpool Council and contractors VINCI Building on behalf of The Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Forming phase five of the wider £350Mlln regeneration of Talbot Gateway, the £45Mlln, 53,000 sq. ft building will be situated off Talbot Road and sits within the Talbot Gateway development adjacent to Blackpool North train station.

Up to 1,100 MOD employees from Defence Business Services (DBS) will relocate to Blackpool town centre, bringing yet more people into the heart of Blackpool to boost the local economy and drive footfall. Once this fifth phase is complete, the Talbot Gateway development will be bringing over 8,000 workers and students into Blackpool town centre.

Designed to incorporate best practice in sustainable construction and operation, the six-storey building will comprise a range of features aimed at delivering an environmentally-conscious development with the wellbeing of occupants at its core.

Powered 100% by electricity, these sustainability credentials include air source heat pumps for space heating and hot water generation; photovoltaic panels on the roof which will generate clean, green electricity; and precast concrete façade panels which reduce embodied carbon.

Providing an innovative working environment for MOD employees, the workspace will help MOD recruit the best talent, improve productivity, and deliver a more, modern Civil Service.

The DBS project is being delivered under the MOD’s Defence Estate Optimisation portfolio, which is investing £5.1Bn in a more modern and sustainable Defence estate. This includes new and refurbished military accommodation and housing for over 40,000 service personnel and their families, as well as technical, training and office space for over 64,000 personnel, including civilian staff.  The project will be managed on behalf of the MOD by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

Designed by London-based Make Architects to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Standards, the building will also feature cycle storage, showers and changing facilities which promote active, sustainable travel, while new public realm will support improved pedestrian access and connectivity to the local transport network and surrounding businesses.

Alan McBride, Technical Director, says:

Ross Porter, Defence Infrastructure Organisation Programme Manager, said:

“After several years of pre-construction work and a huge collaborative effort from all parties involved, progressing this project to the construction stage is a great milestone to reach. We’re very much looking forward to delivering a first-class office facility for MOD staff in the area, as part of the Defence Estates Optimisation Portfolio.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, commented:

“This is another major step forward in our plans to make Blackpool better. We’re very grateful to government for recognising Blackpool’s economic potential and continuing to invest and help us create quality jobs for local people.

“Officers from both the council and government have worked exceptionally hard to make this deal possible. With over 8,000 workers and students coming to the town centre in the next few years, this provides a phenomenal opportunity and confidence for local businesses to continue to invest and hire more local people.”

Gary Hughes, VINCI Building’s Regional Director, added:

“We’re delighted to have been appointed on this key project at Talbot Gateway to continue our working partnership with Blackpool Council and Muse. We will ensure we continue to provide local opportunities through the development of our local supply chain, whilst generating significant education and training opportunities with local schools, colleges and education groups as we progress on site.”

Our regeneration of Talbot Gateway has already delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park, alongside extensive public spaces for the community to enjoy.

A new 4 star 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant opened in May 2024, while a tram-train interchange linking to Blackpool Promenade opened in June 2024. Plans have also been approved for a multiversity campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College, bringing up to 3,000 students and staff into the area, with work expected to commence later this year.

Elsewhere, Blackpool’s new home for The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – a highly sustainable, 215,000 sq ft workspace on King Street which we’ve delivered alongside Blackpool Council and VINCI Building – opened earlier this month.

Forming phase three of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration, the building is bringing 3,000 DWP employees into the heart of Blackpool to further drive footfall for local businesses and the hospitality sector and spur economic growth.

MOD’s new workspace is due to complete in 2027.