Blackpool street on course for Las Vegas-style

1:53pm Friday 16th May 2008

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Work has begun to transform a central Blackpool shopping street into a Las Vegas-style laser light experience as part of a major regeneration project.

The council has begun installing ribbon arch light and sound projection equipment onto Birley Street as part of its Regeneration by Light project.

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The pedestrianised street will be spanned by six arches which will house laser lights in a bid to rival the Freemont Street laser show in Vegas.

The arches will be 27ft tall, with three projector heads on each structure.

It is expected to be complete in time for the Illuminations switch-on at the end of August.

They will be controlled by digital equipment installed above the Yorkshire Bank on Abingdon Street, which will be able to customise and time the shows.

Funding for the £2.5m project, for which the Birley Street project is the second phase, has come from the North West Development Agency, European Regional Development Fund, Townscape Heritage Initiative and Blackpool Council.

Phase I has already started and includes the installation of architectural lighting on a number of prominent town centre buildings.

Phase III is set to develop St John's Precinct into a new public square, complete with street pavement cafes and markets.