Showtown

The museum is located within a corner unit in the Sands Venue Resort Hotel. Our work involved carrying out the base build works to create a space that could support a museum function, allowing for the integration of the interpretation designs to create a seamless new visitor experience. 

Entrance to Showtown is via a bright pink staircase, reminiscent of a stick of Blackpool rock. Once inside, visitors are treated to six vibrant, interactive exhibitions across more than 1000 sqm, allowing them to discover more about Blackpool’s links with magic, dance, comedy, live variety, illumination, circus, and sideshows. Each of the galleries is a mixture of objects and stories from the Blackpool Council collections, 27 loaned objects from the V&A, and rarely shown items from the performers themselves.

A temporary exhibition gallery was also designed to meet Government Indemnity Standards. This will allow Showtown to display loaned items from public and private individuals or collections within the UK and abroad.

Just as Blackpool is defined by the people who have lived and worked there, people are at the heart of Showtown's design. Its visitors, workers, and volunteers are central to the experience so accessible design is fundamental to our approach.

We worked closely with an accessibility group to understand how best to make the museum as welcoming as possible to the largest number of people. This understanding works into every aspect of Showtown from its floor plan and facilities to the exhibitions and interactive displays. Inclusion of a changing places toilet, gender-neutral facilities and an education centre catered to full accessibility needs are just some examples of best inclusive design practice that welcome everyone to a great day out.