Banks Street

Banks Street is one of the quarter's busiest side streets, and for anyone arriving by car it is usually the first one they see. It runs inland from the Promenade, crosses Dickson Road and Lord Street, and reaches High Street close to Blackpool North station, about a tenth of a mile away. General Street, Exchange Street, Howard Street and Francis Street all join it. It is about 430 metres long, with the postcodes FY1 1RN, FY1 2AR, FY1 2AS, FY1 2BE and FY1 2DT.

Like the rest of the quarter, Banks Street now carries Progress Pride street signs, part of the Be You improvements.

Banks Street car park

Banks Street car park is a council surface car park, open 24 hours, and the largest close to the bars, a few minutes' walk from Lord Street and Dickson Road. The council lists its satnav postcode as FY1 2DT.

• Spaces: 230 for cars, 9 for coaches and motorhomes, 6 with electric charging and 16 Blue Badge bays.
• Blue Badge: free for 3 hours if you show a clock with your arrival time.
• Prices: charges apply at all times. The council's published car rates run from £3.10 for 2 hours to £13.40 for 24 hours and £41.40 for a week, with cheaper per-day rates for longer stays. Check the council's page or the machine before you pay, as tariffs change.
• Paying: contactless or coins at the machines (no change given), or PayByPhone using code 803807 for cars.
• Some LGBTQ+ guest houses sell discounted passes for this car park; ask when you book. See parking and arrival.

Places to stay and drink

Banks Street is mostly small hotels and guest houses, more than ten of them between numbers 5 and 27 alone.

• Welhorny's at 33 to 37 Banks Street is a private-members, men-only naturist guesthouse and bar that hosts bear and pup weekends. Adults only.
• The Blackpool North, on the corner of Lord Street and Banks Street, is an LGBTQ+ friendly public bar and grill with rooms, open from midday until late and open to everyone.

Getting here

Banks Street is about two minutes on foot from Blackpool North station and its tram stop. Walk towards the sea and you reach the Promenade between North Pier and Cocker Square.