Old Wilko's Store Explored | Blackpool

The Wilko's building was due to be demolished in early 2020 to make space for a new tram terminal and hotel as part 4 phases to improve and regenerate the Talbot Gateway.

Before the building with so many tales was demolished I (Nodrog) was able to sneak inside and take some photographs for historical reasons before I was ejected by the security!

Prior to Wilkinson's having the building as a general store or home improvement, seasonal items, food and leisure a lesser unknown holder had it as a supermarket named Food Giant.  This was very similar to Iceland Warehouse / budget food store with added extras especially seasonal goods. 

Above image (National World) : 1998 Food Giant, a well stocked brightly coloured food supermarket. 

Going back even further in time the grounds were originally Blackpool Talbot Road railway station. 

​The first station opened on 29 April 1846 as Blackpool, renamed Blackpool Talbot Road in 1872, and was first rebuilt in 1898.

The rebuilt station consisted of two parallel train sheds and a terminal building, in Dickson Road between Talbot Road and Queen Street. 

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The station was listed for closure in the Beeching Report of 1963, however Blackpool Corporation convened the relevant authorities to close Blackpool Central instead.

This was all demolished to make way for the first of a few supermarkets to occupy the site.  

​The main station buildings, train shed and platforms were decommissioned and demolished in 1974, and the 1938 excursion platform canopy building was refurbished to become the new main station.

This image was taken in 1974 after the original far platforms were demolished.

Fine fare days: According to the local council Fine Fare opened in May 1979 by The Goodies.

 'Fine Fare was one of the first self-service supermarkets in Blackpool. Known for its own label budget range that was to change the way we shopped for groceries forever! Followed by Gateway, Food Giant, Dunnes Stores, Kwik Save and Somerfield's, Age UK and Wilko's, the panels have stood the test of time and have captured the hearts and minds of local enthusiasts.
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A memento of Blackpool’s history, twelve iconic moulded plastic panels were saved and are on their way to their happy new homes across the North West, including: Anchorsholme School, Blackpool Art School, The Grundy Art Gallery, The Modernist Society and to other collectors and local individuals that have fond memories of the store in its heyday.'

At the point of taking these images (16th Nov 21) the store had closed and the carpark was in the process of closing. Below shows one of the landings to the second floor with the lifts in place. 

Above: Classic cold and damp stone stairway lowering to the very front of the supermarket. One area I'm very familiar with as my parents every week scaled this steps to return to the car. I always remember a distinct odd smell - of age perhaps.

The last tariff before closure - once this was free!

Extensive flooding in many areas - poor drainage and damp. 

In the last days only the lower level would create space for car parking. The other zones were barred off.

All areas are not immune to the sea air and corrosion that follows. 

The second level of the car park area.

One of the ramps running down from the very top level. 

A lack of cars but plenty of Mother Nature wanting to take back control.

One of many pay machines.

One of the views across the town from the very top. Here is Lord St late in 2019.

A view of Queen Street and the old ODEON building in the distance.

Top deck area - lack of cars as it's barred off.

View of Talbot Rd off the top deck. Note the new tramway for the terminal.

Top deck and it's aging stone work.

Top deck area to the East.

Ground level - lift to the right and store entrance would of been to the North as shown below. Taken just before the store was closed.

Rear of the building taken in Oct 2020 - opposite Blackpool Nth Railway Station.

 Above: How the store grounds look in Dec 2022 for the new Tram terminus and hotel. This is part the new £23.4m tram link to Blackpool North train station.

​Below: The existing tramway along the promenade will be extended from the corner of Dickson and Talbot Road.

Vlog notes:
There was once a tram route along here taking you past the new developments at the now Talbot Gateway onto Layton some 1.5 miles East from the promenade. The Layton tramway route closed passenger operation at the end of the summer season on 19 October 1936. So no paid passengers have travelled along this route for clocking on a century! And were getting some of it back!

The new Tramway extension is one of four phases of transformation that will see passengers travel along the promenade or down from Blackpool Nth Stn part of the £220m scheme involving the Talbot Gateway regeneration project that also included the demolition of the former Wilko store, four-star Holiday Inn hotel and restaurant, new retail outlets and two brand new Flexity2 trams.

Highlights of the extension: 
You’ll be able to go from Railway Station under pass to move from off the train onto trams ready to take you along the promenade from South Shore or to Fleetwood.11 Miles of tram travel .

To make this possible Blackpool Council entered into a franchise agreement with International Hotel Group for a 144-bedroom Holiday Inn that alone will create up to 50 full-time jobs.

The new terminus will house a restaurant, brand new retail locations, which will have a knock on effect for the night-time economy were also known for. It’ll ignite more high-quality accommodation and related business for visitors.

The route of the tramway travels down Talbot Rd the gateway to the promenade oppose Blackpool North Pier via two extra tram stops along the way. 

Passing the Pharmacy, Ma Kellys’ Bar, towards Abingdon St junction besides the Victoria Pub. Passing an Irish Bar, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a little well known bar called the Pug, a night club opposite the new Holiday Inn and Cookhouse. Over the shadow of the Townhall onto the Promenade. 

The trams will travel either North towards Fleetwood or down to South Shore both passing more leisure facilities, hotels, restaurants and of course the Tower, piers, sandcastle, pleasure beach and the new £300 Blackpool Central Entertainment complex.  

Final: It will be better for us all. Better connectivity of our transport, making the town look more modern, brighter and cleaner. Creating opportunities for jobs. 

You see, in my previous video of the upgrades quite a few were very captious with negative comments. Still claiming it’s still to be a cess pool, full of time wasters – being polite – and it’s a waste of money. Seriously what other options would you suggest? 

Blackpool is not alone with economical and society regression. 1000’s come here from other suffering towns and areas looking for that bright light future but we can only cater for so much. And a lot of it is down to personal choices. There are guiding hands of assistance here – amazing graze, shelter just to name two.  

If we improve the heart of our town, generate money and a future for our children don’t you think this will encourage secondary areas of the town to improve and maybe – just maybe give these time wasters some thoughts of personal progress to get of the floor and improve all our prospects. 

Over the next 10 years this town will see around £500m of investment THAT WILL START THE FIRE of a vision to create capacity to help our communities flourish and most of all make Blackpool a vibrant, warming town of fun and enjoyment and opportunity once more! 
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