Weather
Reassurance given to club
From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Mar 2006.
Former service people whose club stands in the way of a major regeneration scheme have been assured they will be given new premises as part of the development.
Members of the Royal British Legion collected more than 1,500 signatures on a petition to protect their King Street club, which stands at the heart of the proposed Talbot Gateway regeneration area.
Representatives of Blackpool Council, including cabinet member for regeneration, Cllr Eddie Collett and Reg Haslam, director of development for ReBlackpool, the urban regeneration company which is organising the scheme, met members of the legion last week.
The club's president, Ian Coleman, said after the meeting: "We had a very a useful meeting and I understand that every endeavour is being made to ensure the Legion Club will be looked after by the council and the redevelopment.
"This reassurance brings a great deal of pleasure to our members although there are those who are still sceptical.
"I personally would be happy with what was agreed which is a new club for an old one.
"We would want it to be built specifically as a club, catering for at least the same number of people in the main rooms as before and in the same geographical area.
"We would be more than delighted to have these assurances in writing.
"Our prime objective is to look after all our members and that's what these discussions are aiming to achieve."
Cllr Collett added: "We were aware that the members of the Royal British Legion Club were concerned about the proposed development in the Talbot area and we were more than happy to meet with them and explain the future aspirations of the town and listen to their concerns.
"There is no doubt that the Royal British Legion is an important asset to the town and in no way would we would want to jeopardise that.
"The 1,500 signature petition clearly shows the strength of feeling that the members should have a social club in the town centre and we agree with this.
"As the redevelopment of the town continues we will keep the club informed of what is happening and promise to consult them on all proposed changes. "
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
