Staff at Barnfield meet Laurence Llewelyn Bowen at the opening of Blackpool’s Illuminations Lightworks

Date: 08.06.2010

Today has seeTV star and designer Laurence Llewelyn Bowen  made a guest appearance on Monday (7th June 2010) in order to open the 120,000 sq ft warehouse named Blackpool Lightworks, which will now be home to the entire £10 million collection of the infamous Blackpool Illuminations.

This 15 metre high, purpose build premises stands on land which is situated on Amy Johnson Way, next to Blackpool Airport. 

The land was previously owned by Barnfield Construction’s Development Company, Barnfield Investment Properties Limited and the building, also constructed by Barnfield Construction, was pre sold to Blackpool Borough Council.

The illuminations began back in 1879, with just EIGHT electric arc lamps when holiday makers tripped the lights fantastic to view what was called artificial sunshine. The basic idea remains but today there are six miles of shimmering light; the traditional lamp shares the limelight with fibre optics, lasers and LED technology.

The construction project involved working to tight timescales in order to accommodate the lights and staff who were vacating their previous leased property on Rigby Road, Blackpool. 

A close liaison with the Blackpool Airport Authorities was also essential when Barnfield Construction were using cranes and high machinery. 

The huge premises are now home to  more than 711,000 kilograms of equipment which is the equivalent of 350 Blackpool trams.

Laurence, who has now been appointed as Creative Director of the Illuminations commented he wanted the Illuminations to become more forward-thinking and a spectacle everyone can be proud of.

He added: "Having this magnificent new building will be a massive advantage for this national treasure.”

Lights boss Richard Ryan said: "This new building is superb for our needs.

"All the workshops are laid out so that it can be done in order. Having the extra height in the depot has also meant we do not have to rebuild some of the exhibits when we are maintaining them.”

The flagship building sits adjacent to Barnfield’s brand new business centre which is now fully operational with offices to let on the ground floor.  The first and second floor have been let to Fujitsu on a 9 year lease with the total development being valued at £10 million.