Hidden story behind eyesore building covered in covered in scaffolding

Every day we walk past buildings and properties brimming with history that we don't stop to consider.

Whether it's a historically significant building or simply one that's been forgotten in time, everything has a story to tell. This is especially true to places in Blackpool, which is known for its rich history and cultural significance over the years - but some of these buildings don't look like they once did.

On North Promenade, a building now home to Woody's karaoke bar was once a popular picture house opening in 1912 with 905 seats - just one of the beautiful architectural triumphs that still stands to this day. On the Promenade, another building millions of people have passed over the years also still stands, but most of these millions won't know what the history is.

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Next door to the world famous Robert's Oyster Rooms stands a building covered in scaffolding and an apparent eyesore - but its history is rich. Around the latter half of the 19th century, the building started life as a chemist and according to some residents, was made over using the same bricks as those used for Blackpool Tower's building.

Then and perhaps more memorable for people today, it was used as Gifts Galore, a gift shop for tourists in the town. However, recent tragedy struck which has left the building in disrepair ever since.

In 2018, six fire crews tackled a blaze on Blackpool's Golden Mile after the shop was ravaged by a fire. Four years later, town hall planners approved an application to demolish the property and replace it with a five-storey building.

This will have a café on the ground floor with four holiday apartments on the upper floors, each boasting a sea view and glass balustrade balcony. At the time, Blackpool Civic Trust objected to the loss of the building which is believed to date back to the 19th century.

On the Facebook group, History of Blackpool, many locals have shared their memories of the building. David Gee wrote: "My Dad Syd took the fish and chip restaurant over in 1965 and converted it to Gifts Galore. He ran it until the mid-80’s, and I took over when his health started to fail. We sold in 2005, and it has been allowed to fall into complete disrepair ever since.

"Apparently it’s due to be demolished as the Heritage Foundation don’t believe it’s worth saving….even though it is almost 200 years old!! Shocking and very sad. I grew up there and still believe that the Promenade was the most incredible place to live and learn….that can’t be said today unfortunately as your photo shows."

Beryl Ridgway also shared memories of the building, she penned: "48 years ago it was Pablo's fish chips - take away or sit in and restaurants upstairs. I worked there for four years and had great times there, meeting a lot of the famous star of the day from shows of Blackpool."