A planning application has been green lit to bring a quirky upside-down house visitor attraction to the promenade at Blackpool, next to South Pier.
Upside Down House UK Limited was seeking permission to install the two-storey structure on land to the north of South Pier, at the site of the former Théâtre D’Amour on the Promenade, Blackpool, FY4 1BB.
Blackpool Council have granted permission for construction to progress.
The company, which launched its first attraction in Bournemouth in 2018, currently operates similar sites in Brighton, Bristol, Liverpool, London and Lakeside, as well as partnership venues in Great Yarmouth, Clacton-on-Sea, Portsmouth and Skegness.
An Upside Down House in Bournemouth
It says each location is given its own identity, with interiors themed differently throughout the year, including a Haunted Upside-Down House at Halloween and a Santa’s Grotto over Christmas.
The Blackpool attraction would be finished in an “Ocean Blue” colour, chosen to complement South Pier and the nearby Sandcastle Waterpark.
The building stands approximately 7 metres tall, 13 metres deep and 11 metres wide, and has been designed to appear as though it is balancing upside down on its roof at a slight angle.
It would be built on pre-cast concrete foundations that can be fully dismantled, returning the promenade terrace to its original condition in as little as two days.
A visitor at an Upside Down House
Inside, the two floors are laid out to replicate a home, with a kids’ room and home office on the ground level, and a living room, bedroom, kitchen and dining area above, all furnished and fitted out as though the building is the wrong way up.
Wheelchair-friendly pathways will also be included to ensure full accessibility.
A separate ticket booth, measuring just under 2.6 metres high and 1.74 metres wide, will be positioned on the seaward side of the attraction, away from the nearby tram tracks.
All visitor queues will be directed northward, parallel to the tramway, with staff on hand during operating hours and an online timed-entry booking system in place to manage visitor flow and prevent congestion.
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A heritage impact assessment submitted with the application concludes that the proposal would have no detrimental effect on the setting of South Pier, which is locally listed as a non-designated heritage asset.
The assessment notes that visitor attractions of this type are considered “part of the character of seaside towns” and consistent with the fun, family-focused nature of pier environments.
Blackpool Airport has also been consulted and confirmed it has no objection to the application, on condition that the developer notifies the airport at least 14 days before construction begins if any equipment will exceed 10 metres in height.
The application reference is 25/0890.