Bank Hey Street, Blackpool Town Centre

Cafes and shops in St John's Square, Blackpool Town Centre

Blackpool town centre 

Birley Street

‘Shopping by the Sea’ would be a good way to describe Blackpool  Town Centre, because here you can mix a seaside trip with the high street – which you can’t say for most places!

The town centre starts just at the back of the Golden Mile behind Blackpool Tower, where the streets are pedestrianised so you can wander about safely at will.

The gift and souvenir shops wander most of the way along the promenade to the junction at the Manchester Hotel, but the high street stores reach Coral Island and Bonny Street Market at the south end of town, and almost to North Pier at the other end, and inland nearly as far as the railway station – and that’s before the huge Talbot Road Gateway project is completed with the building of the new Sainsbury’s store and associated retail and food units.

Read more about Blackpool Town Centre

Although it’s a traditional outdoor town centre, Blackpool is actually kind to shoppers in poor weather, with shops quite close together so that you don’t waste time and energy walking from shop to shop. Then of course you can browse in comfort inside the new Houndshill Centre where you’ll find Debenhams, Primark and other major chains. The national names are well represented with Marks and Spencer, BHS, WH Smith, Boots and more having stores in town.

Head towards Abingdon Street Market and the area around and behind St John's Square and you'll find smaller, independent stores selling all kinds of things from jewellery to designer clothes, homewares and accessories. Plus of course hairdressers and nail bars thrown in!

You really must go and have a look at Brilliance on Birley Street too. In daylight, the huge arches create a sculpture along the skyline, but at night it comes to life in a spectacular show of light and music! The street is also pedestrianised, which makes a great atmosphere for the pavement cafes and bars and an ideal spot from which to sit and watch the world go by.

There are a number of handy town centre car parks, including multi-storeys at Wilkinsons, BHS, and in the Houndshill Centre, along with surface car parks which include the huge Central Car Park just behind the Sea Life Centre. Don’t forget of course that the new trams are back in action, and along with the bus service there are plenty of easy ways to get around town.

If you’re a resident in Blackpool, why don’t you enjoy shopping in your seaside hometown, and next time you are in Blackpool town centre, have a walk round the side of the Tower on to the sea front. Fill your lungs with sea air and enjoy the seaside!