Blackpool's Rainbow Quarter, explained

Blackpool has been a gay holiday favourite for decades, and since 2024 its village has had official backing as the Rainbow Quarter.

Where it is

The heart of the scene is Queen Street, Dickson Road, Lord Street and Talbot Road, in the Claremont area just north of the town centre and a few minutes' walk from Blackpool North station.

How it became official

Blackpool Council unveiled its plans for an LGBTQ+ village in August 2023. A consultation of 269 people put safety first, followed by better public health services, LGBTQ+ arts and culture, and visible investment in the area. The council agreed the action plan on 22 January 2024 and launched it on 8 February 2024 with events at Central Library and The Flying Handbag.

The programme, now called Be You, is run by the council with partners including Renaissance, the North Shore Business Group, the BAGS hoteliers group and Blackpool Pride.

What has changed

By January 2026, 15 new LGBTQ+ venues had opened, creating 52 jobs, with 29 LGBTQ+ venues in total. On the streets you will see:

• rainbow zebra crossings on Dickson Road, first painted in March 2024
• Progress Pride street signs
• colourful planters on Lord Street, Queen Street, Dickson Road and Springfield Road
• more than 30 new lighting columns and new CCTV on Lord Street

Venues can also earn a Be You Business Quality Mark, developed by the council's public health team with Renaissance, so you can spot places that have signed up to being safe and welcoming.