St Annes event space project budget increase approved

An increased budget for the St Annes Event Space project has been approved by councillors.

The increased budget allows for several enhancements to the design, now developed to Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 3, allowing the project to deliver a greater transformational impact to the town centre. 

The fully funded capital budget increase of £1,412,462 is comprised of £173,462 from the Council’s Capital Investment Reserve, £840,000 in reallocated funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation, and £399,000 in a virement from the St Annes Levelling Up Round 3 application. Added to the original budget allocation of £1.5 million, this brings the total revised budget for the project to £2.91 million. 

The St Annes Event Space project is a core element of the St Annes Masterplan and is the first major initiative to be developed under this programme, with the initial capital budget approved in July 2023. A public consultation was held between July and August 2023 on the initial design, giving invaluable feedback on the direction of the project. 

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council and Lead Member for Corporate and Economic Development, said: “At the heart of the St Annes Masterplan is the Council’s desire to help St Annes develop and prosper, and the Event Space will achieve this, bringing more people into the town centre to enjoy the hospitality, shops and businesses on offer. 

“These exciting enhancements, developed based on feedback from the community, ensure that the space will serve as a hub for events and activities, fostering a greater sense of community and boosting local regeneration.” 

The enhancements detailed in the latest iteration of the design are laid out below: 

• Redevelopment of the existing car park to extend the events space 

• Removal of one dome and use of quality materials to create a visually appealing focal point 

• New amphitheatre-style seating and reduced planting for an open feel 

• Repositioned bus layby for improved pedestrian connectivity 

• Enhanced lighting system and modernised street furniture 

It is intended to deliver the construction works for the scheme between September 2024 and May 2025, with a detailed programmed to be developed and agreed upon procurement of the main contract. It is anticipated that a report to request expenditure for the main contract award will be brought to the Executive Committee meeting on 17 September 2024.