News

July 2015 to January 2016 The Grand Theatre, Blackpool announces a cheeky new programme of shows for autumn and winter 2015! With the brand-new tours of The Full Monty and THRILLER LIVE opening in Blackpool, the world premiere of Brave New World, an amazing line-up of drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy – plus […]

FAMILIES are invited to take a stroll through the deep, dark wood into the amazing world of The Gruffalo at Chorley’s Astley Hall this autumn. The popular children’s character is coming to Chorley on Saturday 19 September together with the famous illustrator Axel Scheffler to launch Astley Hall’s new exhibition, The Art of Axel Scheffler. […]

Popular Bat and Barn Owl BBQ events return to WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre this summer. Every Friday in August (7th, 14th, 21st & 28th) join our reserve team and bat expert for this unique experience. The evening starts with a barbeque at 7.30pm followed by a walk out on the Marsh to search for […]

A TOP line up of family entertainment is planned for the new Chorley Flower Show with stars off the television headlining the children’s stage. Dozens of people have already booked their tickets for the Chorley Council-run event, which will see Fifi and Bumble doing their ‘rock with the tots’ mini show and Alex from CBeebies […]

Blackburn announced as one of the latest towns across the UK to receive support from some of the UK’s biggest brands.   Blackburn is one of 34 new High Streets selected for the ‘Business in the Community’s Healthy High Streets’ programme which aims to increase footfall and reduce the number of vacant properties in the […]

People can choose their favourite entry in the architectural competition for Preston's iconic bus station and a new Youth Zone. Five anonymous entries were chosen recently by the judging panel, and each design proposal has been worked on in more detail based on feedback. You can see the designs at a special exhibition on the […]

Lancashire’s number 1 position in the UK for aerospace presented at Paris Air Show

Blackpool Zoo also rated tenth best zoo in Europe and 21st in the world, according to millions of traveller reviews and opinions   Blackpool Zoo has today been named the third best rated zoo in the UK in the Travellers’ Choice TM awards for Zoos, announced by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site*.   The […]

Freeport Fleetwood came out victorious at the Radio Wave Culture and Lifestyle Awards on Friday 10th July, scooping the Large Retailer of the Year award. The outlet shopping centre was up against other companies such as Debenhams and Tesco at the prestigious event held at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. The Radio Wave […]

Youngsters can certainly make waves in Chorley this summer as free swimming is back by popular demand. Last year over 3,500 young people from Chorley took advantage of the free swim offer run by Chorley Council and Active Nation which manages the council’s leisure facilities. From Monday 27 July, free swimming is again being offered […]

The Barton Grange Hotel in Preston has this month appointed chef and local Lancashire man Steve Hodson to head its kitchen team as executive chef.  Steve returns to his Lancashire roots bringing with him a wealth of experience from some of this country’s, and the worlds, most recognised hotels.  He began his career in South […]

The Barton Grange Hotel in Preston has completed the second stage of its £500 000 refurbishment programme this month, which includes a full upgrade to its four ‘Grove’ training suites, main Barton Suite conference and event space and 51 bedrooms.  Owned by Preston’s Topping family and renowned as one of the area’s leading independent venues, […]