Resort ambassadors are back again this year as part of the town’s stunning £2.4m LightPool project at Blackpool Illuminations.



The enthusiastic team will help to tell the story of the LightPool project, directing people to the stunning exhibits in the town centre from September including the dazzling digital mapping display, a series of exciting outdoor shows and a spectacular set of exhibitions.

The LightPool ambassadors are already at work and are proving to be positive role models, welcoming visitors to the town and offering help and advice about the upcoming shows. They also provide travel and tourism tips.

Lead by co-ordinators Karen Airnes-Little and Helen Jenkins, the group are based in a dedicated Visitor Information Hub located on the ground floor of Bickerstaffe Square in the town centre. The hub has been designed as a satellite information centre and is open seven days a week.

Karen said: “The team feel very proud to be representing Blackpool and promoting the best that the town has to offer. There are 16 of us in total and four of the ambassadors have even rejoined from last year which shows just how much we enjoy our roles.

“We have been on tours of the attractions around Blackpool so we are well equipped to answer any questions about the resort.”

Helen added: “This year we have the Visitor Information Hub as the base for our team and it’s already proving to be an invaluable addition to the project. We’re excited for the Illuminations season.”

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Our LightPool Ambassadors are proving to be an instant success with the public offering helpful advice about the resort and what’s in store this autumn.

“The ambassadors engage with residents and visitors alike to enhance the Illuminations experience and highlight the exciting new features for this year such as the new LightPool Village which will operate on the Comedy Carpet throughout the Illuminations season with official brochures, photo souvenirs and memorabilia on sale.

“This year’s programme promises to be bigger and brighter than before and should be a wonderful addition to the Illuminations.”

Coastal Communities Minister Andrew Percy said: “The resort ambassadors are a fantastic initiative and will maximise the potential of the Illuminations to the local economy.

“Blackpool has enormous economic potential and we are determined to see it thrive all year round.

“That is why we have provided £2m Coastal Communities Funding to get tourists visiting all the great sights the town has to offer.

“This is another positive example of government investment in the North.”

Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the return of the LightPool project. Three new displays have been designed specifically for LightPool this year and are funded by a £2m grant from the Coastal Communities Fund alongside a further investment by Blackpool Council.

The eye-catching 3D projection shows will be displayed on to the front of the Blackpool Tower buildings from the start of September. One of the projections has been designed by Illuminations curator Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen and his daughter Cecile to showcase the architecture of the famous Blackpool Tower building.

All three of the films, along with two popular shows from last year’s LightPool events, will be available to watch for free from the Comedy Carpet several times every night, with extra performances at weekends and over the October half term.

For more details on this year’s LightPool, go to www.visitblackpool.com/lightpool.

For more information on Blackpool Illuminations, visit www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

Blackpool Illuminations light up from Friday 2 September to Sunday 6 November.