Seaside resort all set for a dazzling year

11:08am Friday 25th April 2008

LOPING down the rain-stippled promenade in a taxi blaring out This is the Road to Hell you have the uncomfortable feeling the tune may have a point.

British seaside resorts in winter can have a mournful almost desolate feel accelerated by leaden skies and fierce winds. But hey, this is Blackpool, Capital of Fun, and despite losing its battle to become the UK's casino centre, it is still Britain's Number One resort, and the town's leisure caterers are pouring money into exciting new enterprises this year to ensure it keeps its coverted place.

Leisure Parcs, for example, has announced its biggest single investment in Blackpool Tower, the resort's iconic landmark. The three million pound project hasd completely redeveloped Level 5 of the Tower - removing the legendary Jungle Jim's' play area, opened in 1982, and once the biggest indoor play area of its kind in Europe. It has been replaced by Jungle Jim's Towering Adventureland, described by proud bosses as the most innovative and interactive play scheme of its kind in the UK'.

Based on The Lost City' and sitting at the foot of two towering 6m high Inca gods, the 2,500 square feet play area takes visitors on a memorable journey of adventure in the quest for lost treasure. Children travel through ancient ruins and treacherous jungle terrain, tackling a series of exciting adventures in the hope that they will find their very own fortune.

The glass-roofed area includes three huge ships each with separate themes, their own characters and the capacity to host dedicated children's parties.

The existing food court has made way for a dining area seating mmore than 350 people, which takes people back on a magical journey to years gone by.

A number of the Tower's architectural features, not seen by the public for 25 years, have been restored to their former glory, underlining the architectural significance of the 113-year-old building.

Meantime, on the famous promenade, Adventure Golf at Flagstaff Gardens, just outside the Pleasure Beach, with its 12-hole course, features an eye-catching 21st Century design, brilliant landscaping and state of the art holes to entertain young and old.

Look out for the water hazard on holes 11 and six, and tackle the figure eight spectacular on hole nine - a first to the UK! It all marks almost £1/2 million of investment in the Pleasure Beach, following a massive £8 million spend last year to bring Infusion to the park.

And Blackpool's beautiful Grand Theatre - one of my personal favourites anywhere in the UK - promises exhillarating experiences with opera, ballet, plays, comedies, musicals, contemporary drama and dance to fun children's shows. By public demand, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns in July with BBC's Any Dream Will Do finalist Craig Chalmers.

A specially commissioned family show Variety of Ice and a second visit from English National Ballet, with the delightful Angelina Ballerina, boost the star-spangled line up. And, do you know something, as I left the resort a dazzling rainbow lit the brooding skies ... perhaps this really is Blackpool's year to tap that elusive pot of tourist gold?

Useful contacts

For information on the Tower, call: 01253 622 242 or check out www.blackpoolive.co.uk l Information on all the Pleasure Beach Blackpool shows and attractions, call: 0871 222 1234 or email: info@bpbltd.com.

For full show listings, information and booking details on shows at the Grand Theatre , call the box office: 01253 290190 or visit: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk.

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