Blackpool’s Showtown History Centre will reopen to the public on Friday 25 April, following extensive repairs and refurbishment.
Located on the first floor of Blackpool Central Library on Queen Street, the centre has been closed since February 2020 due to significant roof damage. With a full roof replacement and structural improvements now complete, the collections have been safely returned, and the centre is once again ready to welcome visitors.
The History Centre will be open Wednesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm, and on alternate Saturdays starting from 26 April.
Visits must be booked in advance—please contact the team via phone or email to arrange an appointment.
As the storage and research hub for museum collections not on display at Showtown, the centre plays a vital role in preserving Blackpool’s story. It houses Blackpool’s archives, local history resources and museum objects, offering unique insight into the town’s past beyond what is shown in the museum galleries.
Several new items have been added to the collections during the closure period, including:
- The Charlie Cairoli Collection of Circus and Performance, celebrating one of Britain’s most recognisable clowns and Blackpool’s legacy in British entertainment.
- Wee Jimmy Krankie’s original wig and schoolboy cap, part of a wider donation from the iconic comedy duo.
- A costume worn by Sir Norman Wisdom, the award-winning comedian and actor known for his beloved "Gump" character. Funded by the V&A/ACE Purchase Grant Fund, the costume reflects Wisdom’s unique physical comedy style that bridged music hall and film, placing him in the tradition of performers like Charlie Chaplin and Lee Evans.
- A rare 18th-century handbill from the Cairoli Collection, dated 1775 and acquired with support from the V&A/ACE Purchase Grant Fund and Friends of the National Libraries. The handbill documents an extraordinary performance by two sets of twins, brothers and sisters—who married each other and performed before King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
The ground floor of Central Library continues to provide access to microfilmed newspapers and books for local studies. Electronic microfilm readers allow users to browse and save digital copies of historical newspapers—please book ahead to guarantee access.
Computers in all Blackpool libraries provide access to family history and ancestry resources, free with a Blackpool Library card.
Originally launched in 2008, the History Centre began with the donation of the Cyril Critchlow Collection and has grown into a vital part of Blackpool’s wider heritage service, now operating alongside Showtown, the town’s museum of fun and entertainment.
Looking ahead, the centre forms part of ambitious proposals to create a cultural hub in the area, including the refurbishment of Central Library and an extension to the Grundy Art Gallery. The project is valued at £11 million.
To book a visit to the Showtown History Centre, please call 01253 478090 or email historycentre@showtownblackpool.co.uk