Hidden Secrets Of Blackpool's New Conference Centre

Exploring the History of Winter Gardens in Blackpool, uncovering all of it's history and Hidden Secrets.
In this video, we take a look at the brand new Conference Centre to open at the Winter Gardens complex. We explore inside and take a look at some of the historic features left inside.
VIDEO INFORMATION CREDITS & THANK YOU'S
David Evans
Blackpool Winter Gardens
Anthony Williams (Winter Gardens)
Jordan Miller (Winter Gardens)
Blackpool Council
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A special thank you to all video content film makers and photographers who's footage or pictures are featured in this video. These videos are made under Fair Use for educational purposes. All contributors and available links to their work can be seen in the videos description.
#adventureme #exploration #history #wintergardens #blackpool #blackpoolwintergardens #conferencecentre #blackpoolhistory

[@simongee8928]

Great that the Wintergardens are being renovated and brought up to date, but as others, I think that the exterior could have been more sympathetically designed to complement the original buildings.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. To be honest, it's a lot better than what was there before it.

[@anthonyellis987]

The inside of the conference centre looks better than outside. It's a shame they couldn't blend in with building surrounding it. Can't wait until the next part.

[@andyrob3259]

Agree. Outside it has all the charm and appeal of a coffin.

[@anthonyellis987]

@@andyrob3259 At least they bury a coffin!

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

So pleased that they kept to old look of brickwork next to modern escalators.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes me too

[@-abacchus]

Love these videos, Darren. Keep showing Blackpools secrets... ...please!! 😁👍

[@AdventureMe]

I will. Plenty more to come.

[@lynnewalker5525]

nice one Darren, not even the vloggers that live in Blackpool have been around in there yet lol

[@AdventureMe]

I was quite lucky then to be in there filming elsewhere.

[@Onewhingingpom]

As a sandgrown’un who hasn’t lived in Blackpool for many years, I love this - thank you for sharing. I’m also intrigued by the very first image which appears to show my great grandparents’ florist’s shop to the right of the grand pavilion awning!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Rebecca

[@nixtax3526]

It’s good to see the old wall inside the building, it looks a good centre, still not convinced of the exterior though.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Nix. A lot more to come.

[@mandycoleman1394]

Not the prettiest of buildings ! But it’s built for purpose ! Like seeing the outside windows and walls from the original building ! Great touch !

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Mandy. Lots more to come from here.

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Oh that was just beautiful. What a huge place that is. Thanks for taking me along. Look forward to next. Please stay safe and take care

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Lots more to come from here.

[@JohnS-nn8si]

Wonderful again absolutely love your videos….. all of them, especially Crystal Palace.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Plenty more coming.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Said before and will say again you should be a TV producer , film maker, director.. etc. this was first class film. Absolutely amazing. . So enjoyable and educational. Thank you,

[@AdventureMe]

Ha ha, thanks Shirley. I would hate the scripts lol

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you Darren, for a escorted tour of the new conference centre. Your the best, Darren! Cheers mate!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Martin

[@Urbanplann]

Looks great, would look even better with the extended plans so that old seamlessly fits with the new rather than loads of random walls

[@AdventureMe]

Yeah. Will be fascinating to see what happens with that.

[@wendymcfadyen-allerby6142]

Thank you and I enjoy looking at past and present photos to see what was and now. Greetings to the Winter Gardens staff :)

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Wendy.

[@kkrispy2009P]

Wow amazing secrets lovely blog

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Lots more to come from here.

[@stuartandrews4344]

Another superb video.👏👏

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Stuart

[@TravelHonestly]

Amazing! Congratulations to the Winter Gardens and Michael Williams. A fabulous addition to Blackpool.

[@AdventureMe]

Very much

[@bd4_l]

It's so wonderful to see them mixing the original with the new!

[@jetsons101]

Darren, the image you got at 1:02 really shows the "Old" and the "New," good job. I know some like only "NEW" and some say, "Save all the old, no changes." It looks like what being done at Winter Gardens is make both sides happy with a good blend of old and new. But for me I like the old with Mod-Con's added in, who wants to heat a room with a coal fire or go to work in a car with a hand start crank, no seat belts and only rear mechanical brakes. Love the excitement you show over your local history. The Rollercoaster?????

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Yes I'll be covering the rollercoaster soon.

[@kap2027]

Cracking compilation of videos 👏🏻 Brilliant content, love how you explain every detail, keep it up 👍 excellent 👌🏻

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. A lot more to come from here

[@kap2027]

@@AdventureMe I’ll look forward to it 👍

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

I didn't realise how big it is! Your video is Very fascinating am learning a lot. Thank you for showing us, it's been fantastic so far.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video enjoyed this,

[@DisneyMarkUK]

It looks amazing Darren, thanks for sharing this

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed.

[@nicklowe536]

Great to see the new venue. it contrasts I love it when old.and.new are mixed. Great video

[@AdventureMe]

Me too

[@davinacaine3615]

I will be there at beginning of May for my unions conference, thank you for this video

[@AdventureMe]

No problem. Lots more to come.

[@andybbeck2043]

Brilliant 👏

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@OrganMusicYT]

Carriage entrance? The original entrance to the Empress ballroom leads through the archway you see on the front of the Empress Buildings in St Johns Square. You walked in through the tiled entrance arch (now Quilligans cafe) and through the Italian gardens. The entrance to the ballroom was double doors from where you can see the doors now, into a vestibule area which still exists (though much altered) offset to the stage. Either side of the vestibule were cloakrooms. The area above the vestibule (which is now a bar/cafe) was an outdoor terrace overlooking the Italian gardens, with doors leading to that at either end of the ballroom on the north side. In the 1930 update to the ballroom, this area was enclosed and became a refreshment area as we see it today.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes correct. That's what I showed in the video and the pic at the end.

[@mousecharger]

Winter Gardens is so big!! Good to.make use of it all.i do like mix of old and new.i know in 100 years the new conference rooms will be like how I know it now as I grew up.great video yet again.thank you👍

[@AdventureMe]

Plenty more to come from inside. Haven't scratched the surface yet.

[@nicklowe536]

Just been told I'm off to a conference at the new Winter Gardens. Looking forward to the free breakfast and seeing the new building

[@AdventureMe]

Enjoy. Have a good look around.

[@suesmith4366]

Facinating 🤩 love the layovers, will have to go as I have never been 😎

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Sue. You should drop in next time you are there.

[@jamiefarrell4425]

Plenty of great venues for a gig in this series Darren!

[@AdventureMe]

Oh yes. Too expensive for us though.

[@leightongoss6147]

Wow!! Is this an exclusive?? Not seen anyone get inside the new conference centre before with a camera. It is a great addition to the Winter Gardens and I really hope this will now see the return of major conferences to Blackpool. I see the Tory Party are already in on it..... Ah well, any storm in a port ;-) Absolutely brilliant video. Many thanks.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes apparently so. That's why it was released straight away.

[@michaelmiller641]

Nice! Clever transitions again!

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@jimmysnailshoes]

Really enjoy your Blackpool videos

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. More to come

[@MrMistoffelees]

Turning into another cracking series this, Darren - thanks. Leopold car park has always been the one I've used when visiting Blackpool - it'll be a shame if it disappears under a hotel. Can't argue that the new conference centre makes a much nicer frontage on that road than the grim shut-down shops that were there last time I called by. Hopefully, their plans stretch to replacing that weird portacabin-like construction down the back of the Empress with something a bit more substantial looking..

[@AdventureMe]

I think the hotel will have a car park underneath with more spaces. Yes it looks much better now. The back of empress has also been done or is currently getting done it will look much better with an outdoor terrace from the ballroom.

[@petecotton2801]

Another great video and very informative Darren. I'm in Blackpool in 4 weeks time so i will be having a mooch around there as i have never been there on my previous visits there.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes have a wonder. It's worth a look. What dates you going?

[@petecotton2801]

I'll be there from the 7th to the 11th of April.

[@AdventureMe]

@@petecotton2801 Ahh I'll just miss you then. I'm there a couple of days before.

[@petecotton2801]

Ahh, thats a shame, would have been nice to have gone for a coffee or a beer if our paths had crossed.

[@quickclipsbyjmj]

I have been waiting for Colin (Building Blackpool Better) to take a tour. He's filmed the conference centre from the start to its completion.

[@paulbrown9802]

So great to see that! Blackpool is synonymous with conferences and this facility looks like it takes that to a new level, and as you say it’s an ultra modern addition to an important historic building blending the old with the new seamlessly! Another great video - it’s a 10 from me! 😀

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks Paul. Yes that's what they are hoping

[@barrieshepherd7694]

Well done for getting such early 'privileged access' to the Conference Centre, I think though that "Seamlessly slots between...." is an architectural oxymoron 🤣it's hardly seamless I would say it brutally slots between....... 😄. TBH it does not look that large and I'm surprised that there are not similar sized conference spaces in other towns (Liverpool / Manchester?) That said I'm sure that being in Blackpool will give it an attractiveness for visitors from other parts of the UK and it looks like it has a sufficient quantity of tech for organisers to play with. Can't wait to see the upcoming videos and what appears to be a walk around the really interesting service areas of the Winter Gardens - all to often people focus on the glitzy bit's and never venture into the underworld where real magic (as opposed to illusionary magic), occurs.

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. Some corkers to come.

[@ronnievenhorst9873]

Another nice video. Now the modern of Winter Gardens

[@AdventureMe]

More historic stuff to come from WG, this is just a respite.

[@ronnievenhorst9873]

@@AdventureMe Oke that's very nice. This is an interesting series about Winter Gardens

[@a11csc]

look forward to more

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Lots more coming very soon.

[@jamesw2414]

Great film. Love the new Conference and Exhibition Centre, its a quality build with some very nice details and really complements the older buildings. I know the Conservative Party Conference will be there this month, and this is the first time there's been a party conference in Blackpool for 15 years. Brilliant news for Blackpool 👌

[@AdventureMe]

Yes. That's what they were setting up when I was there.

[@fatlad5090]

kushty one daz

[@lukewebber5665]

Looks amazing inside... I must agree the outside looks a wee bit out of sync but that's just the way architecture goes... Also have an more of an interest this year in the ballroom as I'm competing in a charity version of strictly in the highlands of Scotland x

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate. Lots more to come from here.

[@bryan3550]

More Brilliance, Darren! You must have done some barefaced schmoozing to get us these insights!! 😘

[@AdventureMe]

Oh I did. Kissed a few body parts. Lol

[@catherineclark4484]

Trouble is if they .modernise blackpool too much, it won't be blackpool, they start to get rid of the nostalgic side, which is what people love.

[@AdventureMe]

No I don't think they will. Too many people like it, and you can tell by the money they spend on preserving it. But you can have both along side each other.

[@johnturner1073]

I used to think that about the trams, but the new ones are so much brighter and roomier.

[@catherineclark4484]

@@johnturner1073 still like the old trams haha sorry just being awkward, the new trams are nice and quicker

[@sarahillingworth2718]

Looks nice and posh and corporate 👍

[@AdventureMe]

Just what they require.

[@sarahillingworth2718]

@@AdventureMe Definitely 👍

[@graemenicol6377]

I wonder if any part of the new conference center will be used for Rebellion Festival this year I guess I'll find out in August.

[@AdventureMe]

Quite possibly!

[@skapunkno1]

Well it's a good excuse to put even more money on the crazy ticket price.

[@graemenicol6377]

@@AdventureMe well found out it is getting used as part of Rebellion Festival that's where the literally stage is so John Robb's punk interviews will be done there

[@graemenicol6377]

@@skapunkno1 totally agree 190 is far to much but still a great 4 Days of chaos we'll probably bump into each other there

[@daviddillon172]

Whats happened to the huge Opera House stage doors for loading sets onto the Opera House stage ?

[@AdventureMe]

I think they are still accessible down the side of the new conference centre. You can see it in the video just.

[@wam2610]

👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks mate

[@fatlad5090]

is bradford your next railways video daz

[@AdventureMe]

Not yet mate. Almost

[@paulmatthews5470]

They are going to hate those touch screen fire panels. Jankiest things I've ever worked on.

[@AdventureMe]

I won't tell them lol

[@douglasthompson296]

Hi Darren, good to see they are dragging the WG into the new era. However I'm still out on whether it pays homage enough to the existing WG, it looks a tad too utilitarian internal black walls and black roof, not a hint of gilt anywhere 😱 Let's hope the political parties are enticed enough to return as B/pool certainly needs a kick up the arse with all its social depravation? Cheers DougT in Mancs.

[@AdventureMe]

The black and plain walls is what the companies want. A blank canvas so to speak. The other rooms have the charm if they want that too. They were setting up for the political parties whilst I was there. They are back.

[@wendyharbon7290]

The only problem is Blackpool Council have failed once again, to think about disabled access with regards this newly opened 30 Million Pound Wintergardens Conference Centre, they have failed to comply with existing Disability Planning and Building Regulations, especially for Sensory impaired disabled people. Has the Wintergarden Conference Center, produced A Disability Equality Impact Assessment's (D-EIA's) Report on this new building and facilities it provides too? Because someone needs to point out to Guide Dogs and RNIB, plus other disability national charities, their own Disability Access Officers need to take a close look at this new Blackpool Council owned Conference Centre, as there appeals from your video tour, there is going to be clear disabled access issues and Disabled Discrimination Complaints made too, by disabled visitors to it. Namaste Gurkhamum Wendy and Wheelchaircharlie39 David disability rights campaigners, Please to those making these video tour films, when making your next video tour of the Winter Gardens, think about all types of disabled access? Especially for physically and sensory disabled people, or those with learning difficulties too, as 1-in-5 of the UK population and by 2030 this will increased to 1-in-4 of the UK population, around 17.2 to 17.3 million UK citizens will be classed as vulnerable disabled and chronically ill or elderly residents this increasing to over 20 million by 2035 some experts say. Something once again Blackpool Council, its Officers and Councillors, have once again appealed not to have provided for, or just forgotten to allow for, even though they were warned about disabled access issues!

[@AdventureMe]

I don't understand. It has ramps and lifts for access. It's step free as far as wheelchairs go. The blind and deaf facilities, I don't understand enough to comment on what they have.

[@Mark_Harwood]

It's hard to get excited about this monstrosity. At least they'll have no qualms about tearing it down in 60 years when it's day is done.

[@asa1973100]

Personally I’d rather have had the Italian gardens put back , that new building looks a hideous chunk of shit

[@AdventureMe]

To be fair the Italian gardens have been gone for over 100 years. It's better than the car park that stood before it. And it will do the job it was built for.

[@johnturner1073]

I'm normally the first to criticise, but they have done a brilliant job there. Now what excuse will the political parties have to stay away?!

[@AdventureMe]

They haven't got any. They were setting up for a party conference whilst I was there.

[@catherineclark4484]

Theyll build these hotels for mps and businessmen and women who will stay there probably 4 days out of a year, waste of money

[@AdventureMe]

All users of the conference centre will probably use it. I would image it's a lot of people.

[@Charles-eu1br]

ƤＲＯ𝓂Ｏ𝕤ᗰ 😭

[@Fidavis58]

Hideous!!!

[@rovhalgrencparselstedt8343]

That new conference center looks like shit and totally out of place, i wish the Winter Gardens would have remained the way it was in the early 1900's before all that other stuff was added in the 30's ruining the looks from the outside. The italian garden and the gardens around the horseshoe should have been kept the way it was.