Illuminating prospects for businesses

Every year more people see the Blackpool Illuminations than visit Old Trafford to watch Manchester United.

Now local-lad Dave Riche has been tasked with working with local, national or international businesses to get their name in lights.
Dave has been appointed Business Development Manager for the Blackpool Illuminations and specifically the ground breaking LightPool project that was launched last year.

Each year Blackpool’s famous Illuminations are seen by more than four million people during a nine week run from September to November. Last year a new £2 million project named LightPool was launched to revolutionise the Lights bringing with it, unique sponsorship opportunities.

Dave, who is Blackpool born and bred, said: “I grew up on the Fylde Coast and visited the Lights every autumn with my family. Now I’m a father myself it’s amazing to take my own family to see them and spend my days working on one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the country.
“The beauty of the Illuminations is that every business regardless of the size has an opportunity to take advantage of the four million visits it receives every year.

“The sponsorship packages we have on offer suit every budget from displaying a company name to sponsoring an entire section.

“As a child I always remember seeing the Eddie Stobart trucks and McDonalds arches as we drove along the Promenade. Exposure to brand names like that stick in your head.

“I’m hugely excited about getting out speaking to businesses from all over the country about the opportunities we can offer them.”

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are constantly looking at ways that we can generate more income to make the Illuminations ever bigger and better than it already is. We often have local residents and businesses asking us why we don’t get businesses to sponsor us and the answer is – we do!

“But there is so much more that can be done. If you think that more people see the Illuminations every year than go to Old Trafford you can see the potential for businesses to expose their brand to the masses.”

A new brochure has been launched for 2016 inviting businesses to support Blackpool Illuminations and the revolutionary LightPool Project, which was thanks to a £2m grant from the Coastal Communities Fund along with contributions from Blackpool Council and LeftCoast.

More than 50 people were in attendance as Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen officially launched the 2016 Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool Business Brochure at Blackpool’s Beach House Bar & Bistro. Representatives from the retail, transport, construction, legal, energy, gaming and tourism industries were in attendance to find out more about how the public and private sector can work closely together to take Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool to the next level.

Business Development Manager Dave Riche said: “The evening was a great success and obviously the proof is in the pudding and is about who comes on board with us as part of our exciting new future.

“People can see the fantastic product we have to offer, and we will be getting out and about – not just locally, but regionally and nationally, looking to add new business partners.”

This year’s 12-page brochure contains details of all the opportunities for sponsorship and packages which can be tailored to suit the needs of a business.

To discuss sponsorship and business development opportunities at Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool or to request a brochure, contact Dave Riche on 01253 476426 or 07341 070531 or e-mail [email protected].  Alternatively, you can view the brochure online at: http://issuu.com/visitblackpool/docs/illuminations_brochure_2016/1. 

For more information regarding Blackpool Illuminations, please go to www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations.