'Tiki' style bar on Blackpool seafront is refused permission by town hall planners

The South Beach Kings Hotel had hoped to create a tiki bar experience on the forecourt of their premises on the corner of the Promenade and Rawcliffe Street in South Shore.

But a planning application for a small bar and eight seating pods with decking, a stage and a glass balustrade has been refused by Blackpool Council because it would create a cluttered appearance. Part of the forecourt has already been redeveloped meaning structures will have to be removed if the applicant does not appeal the decision.

A report by council planners setting out the decision, says: “The council also seeks to remove such poor past development whenever possible. It is considered that allowing the bar and huts to remain or be constructed would undermine this approach and would appear as ad hoc development cluttering the frontage of the property.”

The report says the proposal goes against policies designed to protect the character of the Promenade “as it would result in poor quality, seasonal, piecemeal development that would not complement the high-quality public realm investment along the Promenade.”

A design statement on behalf of the applicant said: “The proposal is for the erection of a small external bar area and seating pods constructed of wood to be located on either side of the hotel frontage area.

“The proposal is to remove the felting and unsightly screens and erect purpose-built ‘seating pods’ down the north and south sides of the front area, with a bar in the north east corner adjacent to the hotel front and up against the restaurant next door to the north. This is part of the overall hotel renovations and improvements. Work began on this part of the project in April 2023 with the laying down of concrete surfacing.”

No objections to the scheme were received from neighbours but the report says concerns have previously been received about noise emanating from the stage.The planning report adds: “The council’s environmental protection officer has advised that under previous management of the site they received a number of noise complaints which almost led to the issuing of a noise abatement notice.”The applicant had said the creation of the bar was part of a wider refurbishment of the property.