Celebrations as Blackpool officially launches Be Who You Want To Be
Blackpool officially launches its Be Who You Want To Be initiative at Central Library, with music, a school choir and speeches looking back and forward.
Our journey: old news and milestones
The Rainbow Quarter didn't appear overnight. It grew out of more than forty years of bars, guest houses, performers and volunteers, and since 2023 it has had the backing of Blackpool Council under the motto Be Who You Want To Be, open to everyone. This page tells that story, with the news as it happened.
Milestones
- 1979The Flamingo opens on Talbot Road, opposite Blackpool North station, the start of the modern scene. The Flamingo
- 1994Funny Girls opens, bringing full-scale drag cabaret to a mixed crowd of locals and holidaymakers. Funny Girls history
- 2006The first Blackpool Pride, led along the Promenade by the Lord and Lady Mayoress. 20 years of Pride
- August 2023Blackpool Council unveils plans for a village quarter in Claremont, deliberately with no label and everyone welcome, under the motto Be Who You Want To Be. Read the news
- October 2023A survey and focus groups with the North Shore Business Group, Renaissance, LGBT+ Facebook Friends, BAGS and Pride Blackpool shape the plan.
- 22 January 2024The council's executive agrees the Be Who You Want To Be action plan. Read the news
- 8 February 2024The initiative is officially launched with a celebration at Central Library: music, a school choir and speeches from people who built the scene, Carolyn Mercer and council leaders. Read the news
- March 2024Rainbow zebra crossings are painted on Dickson Road, with rainbow lamppost wraps.
- 2024 to 2025Progress Pride street signs, planters, more than 30 new lighting columns and new CCTV arrive; the community raises about £4,000 for public defibrillators.
- January 2026The programme becomes Be You, with new business and youth quality marks. The council counts 29 LGBTQ+ venues in the area, 15 of them new. Be You
- June 2026The third Rainbow Quarter Street Party on Lord Street during Pride draws about 3,000 people. Blackpool Pride
Old news
Rainbow Quarter set to launch
Blackpool Council agrees the action plan for the area in Claremont now called the Rainbow Quarter, celebrating the town's LGBTQ+ heritage and inclusion for all.
Blackpool unveils plan for a village quarter where everyone can be who they want to be
Blackpool Council unveils a plan to recognise the quarter in Claremont, deliberately with no label and everyone welcome, under the motto Be Who You Want To Be.