Topping Street

Topping Street runs north to south between Talbot Road and Church Street, in the historic town centre a few minutes from the station. It was built up with lodging houses, probably to serve travellers from the railway, and by 1904 about half had become shops. Its eastern side marks the line between the old town and the Talbot Gateway redevelopment; East Topping Street behind it is a service road with a small car park.

On the street

• Churchills at 83 to 85 Topping Street is an LGBTQ+ friendly, split-level town-centre pub known for karaoke, bingo and an older crowd. The locally listed building was the Criterion Hotel and keeps a rare 19th-century timber shopfront. It is about 400 metres from Blackpool North station and 300 metres from the Talbot Square tram stop.
• Aunty Social at 28 Topping Street is an arts and events space in a 1933 terracotta showroom. In July 2026 it hosted the We're Still Here! History Club's evening on 20 years of Blackpool Pride.
• The Washington Inn (1875) stands on a corner site, and the Samaritans' charity shop is at number 66.

LGBTQ+ history

Sapphires, a gay cabaret bar and nightclub just off Talbot Road on Topping Street, had resident hostesses and dancers and won awards for its late nights. See lost venues of the quarter.

Getting here

From Blackpool North station, walk down Talbot Road towards the sea and turn left.