Blackpool general info : Sun Jun 19, 2011 6:06 pm
Copied from Leigh forum, cheers Jenky, hope you don't mind.RE : The OP, (I'll try and put things that have changed since 2005 below and its of use to anyone from Halifax/Leigh or Dewsbury so not being 'over confident').
The grounds in South Blackpool.
Info valid for anyone going regardless so,,,,,
If arriving by train into Blackpool North (which you will if coming via Bolton/Halifax/Dewsbury)
Blackpool Transport Bus number 5 (to Halfway House)or 7 (Saltcoates/Lytham) drop you off next to the ground, 11 (St Annes) near enough these go from all the Town Centre stops (Market st as main point) with nearest stop to train station next to the Old Talbot rd bus Station ,with Stagecoach (68 Preston) which goes from Market St area.
Cost circa £1.55 for a single ticket, £3.30 for a day ticket if bought before boarding (Paypoint signed shops) or £3.90 if bought on Bus (Its valid on all Blackpool Tranport Buses from Lytham through to Fleetwood all day).
There is another Train station near ground (Blackpool South) but you will need to change at Preston for that, however its a short 10min walk to ground.
If staying in St Annes / Lytham , catch the 7 (Cleveleys) or 11 (Grange Park) or Stagecoach 68 (Blackpool).
There is a Sunday open top service that runs from St Annes to Lytham via the coast if you fancy some fresh air pre game, if no open top vehicles used it will be heritage vehicles (day ticket approx £2.20), operated by a private company so Blackpool day tickets can't be used).
Prom is reopening (by car) upto North Pier from the South of town either today or yesterday so if driving you can now get down it upto that point, its shut (again to cars only) roughly North Pier to the Hilton Hotel for Tram/road improvements.
If staying in North shore/Gynn Square area I'd catch a tram (not the cheapest option but cheaper than a car for sure) and get off at Rigby Road / Manchester Pub and walk down (circa 7 mins slow walking), the tramway is still being modernised so only goes Little Bispham at the moment (and won't go further for a few months yet!) so if staying in Cleveleys /Fleetwood get the bus to the ground.
If staying South shore there are no trams from Starr Gate to Pleasure Beach (new tram depot built at Starr gate for when the new trams arrive in September and line shut for modernising/test work).
As for pubs, well it Blackpool so it covers every taste , since Leighs last visit a Weatherspoons has opened near the Tower, Yates burned down but has reopened on Market st there is a Weatherspoons near the ground on Lytham rd.
Food wise, anything and everything is covered, a Burger King has opened on the Prom near north pier, at least 2 McDonalds in the town.
Plenty of chippys but many are not 'original ones' , so watch where you are going, there are plenty of good ones though.
The place is getting packed out at Weekends and of course the Pleasure beach is open (don't forget you now have to pay to get in, also there is Nickleodean land just opened in there as well which is recent since Leighs last visit).
As mentioned though there is a lot of prom works ongoing costing Millions, with that means you will see lots of building work regardless of where you are going.
Houndshill Shopping centre has now been rebuilt in the town Centre for if anyone wants indoor shopping (usual bog standard shopping mall).
Hotel wise two new(ish) hotels have opened, Travel Lodge at Pleasure Beach and one next to Bloomfield Rd, again every taste , market and price range is covered.
In terms of the ground, with the windfall from winning the Golden Ticket that was the getting promotion Premier League Mr Oyston built a new stand , so its now 4 'standed' all seater.
