
Restoration work completed on Victorian Blackpool Grand Theatre
A major restoration project on a Grade II-listed Victorian theatre has been completed.The eight-month work at Blackpool's Grand Theatre saw broken stone and brick work replaired and repointed and large areas of the roof replaced.The illuminated sign at the top of the building has also been fully restored for the first time since the 1970s.The funding from Arts Council England will be also be used towards making the theatre, which opened in 1894, more accessible to visitors.
Chief executive Adam Knight said: "The results of these specialist restoration works are terrific and make a demonstrable positive contribution to the revitalisation of the town centre. "The capital investment has also realised a long-term ambition to recreate the much missed illuminated sign and return the theatre's famous dome and iconic pineapple finial to their former glory."
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Plush Scots restaurant with Gordon Ramsay-trained chef to close after 11 years
The acclaimed chef has teased a new project 'SUCH A SHAME' Plush Scots restaurant with Gordon Ramsay-trained chef to close after 11 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PLUSH Scottish restaurant run by a chef trained by Gordon Ramsay announced it is to close after 11 years, leaving punters gutted. Much-loved restaurant Aizle, located in Edinburgh, first opened on St Leonard's Street in 2014. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Aizle in Edinburgh is set to close its doors for good Credit: Tripadvisor 3 Chef Stuart Ralston founded Aizle in 2014 Over the years, it moved premises and relocated to the Garden Room at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel. It was founded by Michelin-starred chef Stuart Ralston, who worked under several top chefs. He trained under Gordon Ramsay and also worked with Jean-Georges in New York. But he has now revealed that his debut restaurant will call last orders for the final time later this year after serving punters for over a decade. It is set to close for good on September 21. Stuart shared the news with followers on social media with a post on Aizle's Facebook page. Over the past 11 years, we've built a restaurant to be proud of and had some incredible staff throughout the years Stuart Ralston He explained that he made the tough decision so that he and his team could focus on his other restaurants and a new project that he has in the works. The emotional post read: "After an incredible decade, I have made the decision to close the doors to my first restaurant, Aizle. "Firstly, thank you to our amazing team who have moulded Aizle to what it is, to all the producers, and to our guests, we have loved having you. I look forward to continuing our path, together. "When I first opened Aizle on St Leonard's Street, I wanted to do something that would challenge me as a young chef, provide a place that people would choose to work in and serve food that would make people happy. Gok Wan opens table-less restaurant where diners are served their food from the floor "Over the past 11 years, we've moved homes, met brilliant people along the way, served some great food and together, built a restaurant to be proud of and had some incredible staff throughout the years. Anyone who was a part of Aizle, thank you. "A decision that didn't come easily to me, but the time has come to focus even greater on Lyla, Noto and Tipo, as well as our new project. "Any remaining vouchers can be redeemed across the group in all our venues. 21 September 2025 will be our last service". Loyal customers have flocked to the comments of the post, with many saying they have been left gutted by the news. We've moved homes, met brilliant people along the way, and served some great food and together... Anyone who was a part of Aizle, thank you. Stuart Ralston One person said: "I am so sad to hear this, Aizle is my favourite restaurant in the world." Another added: "Such a shame to see the flagship close. We have adored Aizle since the very start." Someone else wrote: "I had one of the best meals of my life at Aizle. You will be missed". And a fourth shared: "Aizle was just magical - thank you for a wonderful dining experience. Good luck with your other ventures". While a fifth chimed in: "One of my favourite ever dining experiences, we have the menu framed on our wall. Wishing you all the best for your next chapter". What is happening to the hospitality industry? MANY food and drink chains have been struggling recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. The brand plans to close 20 loss-making restaurants after a 'challenging' start to the year. Stonegate, has raised fears about its survival as it races to plug its debts. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. The brand plans to close 20 loss-making restaurants after a 'challenging' start to the year. Stonegate, has raised fears about its survival as it races to plug its debts. Stuart has opened several other restaurants in Edinburgh since he first launched Aizle back in 2014. This includes Noto and Tipo, which both hold Michelin Bib Gourmands, as well as Lyla, which was awarded a Michelin star earlier this year. These will all be unaffected by the closure. The closure comes after Stuart began incorporating local and seasonal goods into his dishes and menus. According to Aizle's website, some meals were available for several weeks, and "others just a few". The most recent 'harvest' included items like guinea fowl, black garlic, quince and salted milk, which came together in a blind tasting menu. A description in the Michelin Guide read: "The constantly evolving menu takes on a surprise tasting format and is presented to diners as 'The Harvest', a list of produce to be featured in the meal rather than exact dish names."


Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaves Everton on free transfer as ex-England star confirms plan to ‘seek a new challenge'
Scroll down to read his letter to fans TOFF GOODBYE Dominic Calvert-Lewin leaves Everton on free transfer as ex-England star confirms plan to 'seek a new challenge' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN has left Everton in order to pursue a "new challenge." The striker penned a heartfelt message to fans on social media as he confirmed his exit. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Dominic Calvert-Lewin has confirmed his exit from Everton Credit: PA Calvert-Lewin, 28, signed for Everton back in 2016 from Sheffield United. He made 273 appearances for the club in all competitions and scored 71 goals. Since his arrival at the Toffees, he earned 11 caps for England and scored four times. He confirmed his exit on Instagram as he issued a touching goodbye to the club's supporters. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL HAVING A PARTY Jamie Vardy joins 'dream team' on holiday with Tottenham and Man Utd stars More to follow... THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. 2 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW


Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I partied with my boyfriend at the Big Weekend - the next day he took his life'
Dad Richard Scriven was planning to propose to girlfriend Lisa Carol Pratt but tragically ended his own life hours after he had watched his favourite artist Tom Grennan on stage A woman has spoken of her heartbreak after finding her boyfriend dead just hours after they were having fun at Radio 1's Big Weekend. Lisa Carol Pratt, 33, had travelled to Sefton Park in Liverpool with dad-of-one Richard Scriven for the popular event on May 24 and the pair enjoyed the music festival as they prepared to mark their four year anniversary. Richard, 36, was desperate to see his favourite artist Tom Grennan on stage as the couple made the most of the day. But the next morning she called round and found him dead at his home after he had decided to take his own life. She said: "We went to the Big Weekend in Liverpool. Richard really wanted to see Tom Grennan. We had a really good day. He was a little bit up and down but we left on a positive note and I dropped him at home." Tragically and traumatically Lisa travelled to Richard's home and made the devastating discovery. She told the LiverpoolEcho: "I knew he was gone. I haven't got any answers, it is very hard. When you spend so much time with someone, I don't know how I didn't pick up on anything. I keep blaming myself." Lisa is now trying to keep Richard's memory alive and has sent a special bottle with a message and a picture of them together into the sea at Blackpool, one of the couple's favourite places, where they had their first date. she added: "We met in 2021 because we were both working for a care company at the time. "Richard was agency staff and to be honest I was dreading the shift because I thought I would be showing someone how to do everything, but it was a really good shift. At first I was trying to help him because he was struggling with his mental health and I am a mental health first aider - but then he asked me out on a date, we went to Blackpool - and I think we just realised we were a perfect match." Lisa said Richard, who had a four-year-old son from a previous relationship, had always struggled with his mental health and had leaned on her for support. On the day of the Radio One festival in Liverpool, she said they had enjoyed their time together. To add to her heartbreak, Lisa found out after Richard's death that he was planning to propose to her later this year. She said: "I found out that he had actually been planning to marry me since our first Christmas together. "We were planning to go to New York later this year and that is where he was going to propose. I am now carrying his ashes in a necklace and also in a ring that I have which is very similar to the engagement ring he was going to propose with - because I definitely would have said yes." On Friday, which would have been the couple's fourth anniversary, Lisa travelled to Blackpool with her parents, where she let off a balloon and sent the bottle with the message and the picture out to sea. She has since set up a Facebook group called Lisa and Richard's journey message in a bottle, which she is hoping people will join and post any updates about the bottle's journey if they come across it. The group can be found here. She explained: " I am trying to keep Richard's memory alive as much as possible. We always said we would go travelling together and this is the only way we can do it now. I have made a group on Facebook that will hopefully help me follow our journey in the bottle. I have asked anyone who comes across it to post in there so that we can follow where we have been together." If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@ or visit their site to find your local branch.