The Winter Gardens is an entertainment complex that was first opened in 1878 and is now one of Blackpool’s most famous landmarks. Recently the Winter Gardens are in the process of a transformation costing one and a quarter million pounds and the newly transformed part is set to be open for the public February 2011. The Winter Gardens is not just famous in Blackpool, the Grade ll listed building is known across the UK for hosting political conferences and exhibitions and was once the setting for a Royal Variety Performance. The transformation of the Winter Gardens has been funded by Blackpool’s Council, the NWDA and ERDF.
The transformation is a huge task that has to be undertaken in sections. The changes at the Winter Gardens so far have involved work on the Floral Hall, the Rotunda and the Church Street entrance and a great new revamp of the Café that has been closed for more than forty years. During the transformation some of the building’s original plaster work in what was the Floral Hall Bar was uncovered. The original mirrors have survived and the restored and repainted plaster is now part of the New Café that leads onto the Floral Hall, which is the centre of the complex.
The interior of the café has used the work of the Winter Gardens original designer, Andrew Mezzei to produce a pleasing, funky space and great facility designed to encourage the crowds back to the Winter Gardens. As a tribute to the designer’s legacy and the wonderful, rediscovered plaster work, the café has been called Mezzei’s. The newly transformed section of the Winter Gardens opened on Saturday, February 12th 2011 just at the same time as Blackpool’s February Festival that features Shazam. The aim of the transformation is to ensure the long term use of the iconic Winter Gardens
