Former Sorting Office, Edward Street, Blackpool, FY1 1BA

On behalf of Blackpool Council (The Council), CBRE (working with Walker Sime) are undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) in respect of the development opportunity known as the Former Sorting Office, Blackpool Town Centre.

Blackpool has an exciting £2bn+ Regeneration Programme underway across the town centre, with this property identified as a key part of driving Blackpool’s economic growth to create employment and new development.

This property was formerly home to a Royal Mail Sorting Office which closed in 2015. It is part of a wider freehold site which is locally known as the Old Post Office, which is a separate Grade II Listed property, which has separate development proposals and is therefore not included in this opportunity.

The whole site, which includes both the subject Former Sorting Office and Old Post Office, secured an £8m grant from the Government’s “Capital Regeneration Project” (CRP) Fund ” in 2023, on the basis of a proposed Hotel development. Since being awarded the grant, the Council has acquired the site and undertook certain remedial works.

The property is neo renaissance styled, which has attractive prominence and scale. Whilst not listed by Historic England, it is locally listed and located within Conservation Area. The ground and upper floors of the property are largely open plan. An additional structure was added to the roof to form a fourth floor, which is in a state of disrepair. The front façade is in a reasonable condition, with the rear façade in a state of disrepair. The site includes a large inner courtyard, and it is envisaged that this will be split appropriately between the subject property (Former Sorting Office) and the Old Post Office, subject to the requirements of both redevelopments.

The Council's objectives of this PME are to:

1. support development of requirements and approach
2. alert the market of the upcoming opportunity
3. identify suppliers that may be able to deliver the scheme
4. gauge the level of market interest
5. seek feedback to a number of areas of the development opportunity

Further detail of the development opportunity is available in the Former Sorting Officer Development Opportunity Brochure and supporting Expression of Interest Questionnaire which is available at the link provided in this notice.

All enquiries and further information can be obtained from:

• Email: luke.wilson2@cbre.com
• Brochure Link: https://indd.adobe.com/view/2de17a38-b227-4689-8289-021415916a70

The Council reserves the right to amend any of the information contained within any of the PME documents prior to commencement of the procurement process and publication of the Tender Notice.