Most visitors have a great time in Blackpool. A little planning makes it better, and it helps to know where to turn if something goes wrong.
Where do I report hate crime when visiting Blackpool?
Lancashire Constabulary has a hate crime page encouraging anyone who experiences hostility motivated by hate to report it, and it links a Hate Crime Victim Care Pack. Check the page directly for the current online form and contact options at lancashire.police.uk. In an emergency, or if someone is in danger, call 999.
Lancashire Victim Services offers free, confidential support on 0300 323 0085, from 9am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday.
Where can I get LGBTQ+ support locally?
Renaissance UK is a charity with an office at 102 Dickson Road, FY1 2BU, listed as open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. It runs sexual health support, social and support groups and HIV and syphilis drop-in testing. Confirm opening hours before you visit. For a wider list of services, see rainbowquarter.co.uk.
What is Be Who You Want To Be?
It is a Blackpool Council campaign and action plan for the Claremont area, agreed on 22 January 2024 and aimed at making the area safe for everyone. Partners include Renaissance, Blackpool Pride and the hoteliers group BAGS. Rainbow crossings on Dickson Road were part of it.
Practical night tips
- Choose a hotel close to the bars so you can walk back. The stays near Queen Street and our full list show distances.
- Agree a meeting point and share your hotel name and address with friends.
- Keep your phone charged and save your hotel's number.
- Stay with people you trust and look out for each other.
- Book a licensed taxi through a reputable firm or ask your venue to arrange one. Avoid unlicensed offers.
- Check train and tram times with National Rail Enquiries and Blackpool Transport on the day, as late services can differ, especially on Pride weekends.
Planning the walk back
The simplest safety measure is a hotel close to where you will be. Many stays are a short walk from Funny Girls, Queen Street and the bars on Dickson Road, so you may not need a taxi at all. Our walking times are measured from the owner's own coordinates, and each listing shows how far you are from the action.
Before you go out, look up the route in daylight if you can, and stick to busy, well-lit streets when you walk home. If a place does not feel right, trust your instincts and go somewhere else.
Looking after your friends
Agree before you go who is going home with whom. Check in with each other during the night, and never leave a friend alone who has had too much to drink. If someone is unwell or you are worried about their safety, ask venue staff for help or call 999.
Drink and personal belongings
- Keep an eye on your drink and do not accept drinks from strangers you do not know.
- Keep valuables out of sight and your bag zipped or closed.
- Take a spare payment card or some cash in a separate pocket.
- Know the name of your hotel and save its phone number.
If you have been targeted
You are not to blame for what happened, and you do not have to cope alone. Contact the police, Lancashire Victim Services or a support service as soon as you feel able. Even if you decide not to go further, telling someone you trust can help.
Other places to look
Return to nightlife near your hotel, check what is open tonight, or talk to other visitors on the community board, including a thread about getting home late.