Stanley Park’s ornate main gates on West Park Drive are being returned to their former glory as work has started to prepare to repaint their intricate decorative features gold.



The work signals the start of preparations to celebrate the park’s 90th summer since its opening.

The impressive gates were opened by the 17th Early of Derby on the 2nd October 1926 with a golden key used in the lock.

The Mayor Thomas Bickerstaff and 80 other Mayors and Mayoresses joined local and national dignitaries to mark the occasion.

The Friends of Stanley Park along with Blackpool Council and other organisations are planning a fun-filled summer of events for the town’s residents and visitors which will be announced shortly.

The celebrations will culminate in the official reopening of the gates on July 8th by the 19th Earl of Derby, the grandson of the 17th Earl of Derby.

Elaine Smith, Chairperson of the Friends of Stanley Park which has funded the project, said: “We continually strive to raise funds through events and activities in Stanley Park to generate much needed funds to support the Parks Department in the maintenance of our Grade 2 Heritage Park.

“I am really pleased that the Friends Group is able to provide the monies for this much needed refurbishment in time for our Birthday Celebration.”

During the work the gates will be closed to vehicles at 5.30pm from Monday 8th through to potentially Friday 19th May to assist with the swift completion of the works. As soon as the daily work is completed the gates will be re-opened later in the evening. Pedestrian access will still be available. Alternative parking will be available at the Sport Centre on West Park Drive.