Blackpool Grand Theatre

Looking back at how Theatres Trust has supported Blackpool Grand Theatre over the years.

Blackpool Grand Theatre was designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham and was the first to feature his innovative ‘cantilever’ design, which provides clearer views of the stage from all parts of the auditorium.

Grade II* listed, it is one of the country’s most architecturally significant theatres, and today it makes an invaluable contribution to Blackpool’s economy, visitor offer and local community.

But it hasn’t always been the case. The theatre closed in 1972, and plans were submitted for its demolition. This met with fierce local opposition and led to the Friends of the Grand negotiating a deal with the owner EMI to eventually buy the theatre.

Theatres Trust, of course, hadn’t come into existence yet, but the threat to the Grand was another example of the dire need for an organisation to protect theatres for future generations.

The situation in Blackpool was one of the first cases discussed by the newly created Theatres Trust and in 1980, the Friends of the Grand became the first ever recipient of our grant-funding, with a small contribution towards the fundraising campaign to buy the building. 

Theatres Trust is proud to have continued to support the Grand over the years, including supporting various planning and listed building consent applications. Most recently, we supported the Grand’s successful planning application to improve the seating in its top gallery tier, which will improve accessibility, comfort and sightlines for audience members in this section of the auditorium.

In 2024, we awarded Blackpool Grand Theatre another grant from our Small Grants Programme with The Linbury Trust, this time for vital repairs to its guttering to help it to stand up to the impacts of climate change. The work used materials that are sympathetic to the building’s heritage, while providing it with greater protection from increased rainfall and storm.

This case study was produced as part of our Fifty@50 campaign to mark our 50th anniversary in 2026.

Photo credit: Martin Bostock Photography, courtesy of Blackpool Grand