The end of November 2021 marked the completion of the restoration of Blackpool’s Mirror Ball on the South Promenade. With work now complete, it’s back to its dazzling best.
The artwork was created by artist Michael Trainor and is reputed to be the world’s biggest Mirror Ball at 6m in diameter. It’s been completely re-mirrored with 47,000 new mirror tiles. The internal bearings have been overhauled to ensure it can rotate in full circle once a minute.
The refurbishment project has been project managed by the Council’s Property Services Department and has been a team effort involving Garmendale Engineering, Jordans Glass, Mirror Finish NW, students from Blackpool and the Fylde College and volunteers.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We’re delighted to be able to return the Mirror Ball in all its sparkling glory back to the South Promenade. This much loved iconic landmark can give many more years of joy to local people and visitors.”
The Mirror Ball is Back!
Published September 2021
South Shores most famous landmark is back it’s rightful place at New South Promenade. The restoration of Blackpool’s Mirror Ball is almost complete – my, how twinkly it looks!
Work to install it began on Monday 13 September 2021. It’s a big job, putting it back together, expected to take just over a week.
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The sections were first delivered to site, then connected back together. Next, 4000 or so mirror tiles are being applied over the joints on site, completing the seamless exterior.
We went along on a glorious September day to take a look at progress. It’s going to look stunning once finished!
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Restoration of Blackpool’s Mirror Ball
A range of partners have worked on the refurbishment project, led by the council’s Property Services Department.
Did you know? 47,000 mirror tiles have been removed and replaced, with 1,000 tubes of tile adhesive!
Further down this page you can see the sorry state it was in last year. It’s only to be expected, as it occupies such an exposed position on Blackpool seafront. What a difference retiling makes!
Local company Jordans Glass supplied the mirrors, with tiling undertaken by Mirror Finish North West. Students and staff from the Blackpool School of Arts, along with local volunteers, have all played a part in removing and replacing the 47,000 mirror tiles.
To ensure it can rotate in full circle once a minute, the internal bearings have also been overhauled. And the projectors have been replaced so you’ll also be able to see the Mirror Ball lit up at night as part of the wonderful Illuminations light extravaganza.
Garmendale Engineering are piecing the giant ball back together on its original site on the South Promenade.
The artwork was created by artist Michael Trainor. It’s reputed to be the world’s biggest Mirror Ball, at 6m in diameter.
The artist was inspired by and named the work after the 1969 Hollywood film ‘They Shoot Horses Don’t They?’ which features a large Mirror Ball. It was originally installed in 2002 as one of a series of ten commissioned artworks known as The Great Promenade Show.
Removing the Mirror Ball
The iconic Mirror Ball on the South Promenade came down at the end of November 2020 for a full refurbishment.
We were there just as the first slice was removed from the top! Take a look in this short video –
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You can see the sorry state of the glazing. The mirror tiles appear to have lost most of their shine and turned back into squares of glass.
Curious about how the Mirror Ball fits together? Here’s the answer!
Photographer Caroline James was there as the giant jigsaw was being taken to pieces.
While you’re here…
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It would have taken an army to restore that ball…especially applying all those mirrors. But it’s beautiful.
The Mirror Ball looks fantastic now but when are the 4 lights going to be fitted, these would then complete the refurbishment & show the Mirror Ball off in all it’s glory whilst the illuminations are still shining . It’s a shame that the lads from Mirror Finish NW & Nigel from MW Access Hire with the Cherry Pickers really pushed hard to complete the installation of the mirrors but the final touch of the lights is still missing 🙁