🏗️ Exciting news: Concept designs unveiled for our new HQ and community hub!
We’re thrilled to announce a major milestone in our journey — the concept designs for our brand-new Blackpool Scout Headquarters and Community Hub, The Marshall Centre, are now complete! Thanks to the incredible work of Joseph Boniface Architects Ltd and Leeming Associates, we now have a vision that reflects our values, supports our activities, and welcomes the wider community.
🏡 About the Design
The new centre will be located at the former Methodist Church site on Midgeland Road, and the design ideas include:
✅ Main Activity Hall with direct access to outdoor activity space
🌧️ Covered Outdoor Areas for year-round use
🍽️ Kitchen with Serving Hatch to outdoor patio
🔐 Secure Access and Zoning between public and private areas
⚡ EV Charging Points and Cycle Parking
🌬️ Natural Ventilation and Solar Panels to reduce environmental impact
♻️ Recycled Materials used in construction, including plastic tiles for cladding
This is more than just a building — it’s a hub for growth, learning, and community connection.
A word from Matt Hornby, Lead Volunteer for Blackpool Scouts
“This is such an exciting moment for Blackpool Scouts. We’ve never had a place to truly call home, and The Marshall Centre changes that. The location of this project means a lot to the local community — the former church was a cherished space — and we want to bring some of that spirit back. This will be a place where young people and the wider community can come together, grow, and thrive.”
📣 Public Consultation Event
We want The Marshall Centre to be a focal point for the local community. That’s why we’re inviting you to a Public Consultation Event, where you can:
- Ask questions
- View the plans
- Share your thoughts
📅 Date & Time: Wednesday 17th September — 17:00 to 18:30
📍 Location: Marton Primary School, Whernside, Marton Cir, Blackpool FY4 5LY
Your input is vital to making this a space we can all be proud of.
💖 We Need Your Support
While we’ve secured some funding, we still need additional financial support to make this dream a reality. Whether you’re a local business, a community member, or someone who believes in the power of Scouting — we’d love your support. To learn more, get involved, or donate, please contact us at DistrictHQ@blackpoolscouts.org.uk. Together, we can build something truly special for Blackpool.
Project Update: September 2025
Donate now
While we’ve secured some funding, we still need additional financial support to make this dream a reality. Whether you’re a local business, a community member, or someone who believes in the power of Scouting — we’d love your support. To learn more, get involved, or donate, please contact us at DistrictHQ@blackpoolscouts.org.uk.
Previous updates
HQ update – October 2024
We’re in the process of creating a place to call home for Blackpool Scouts to give our young people and adult volunteers a sense of belonging.
We are writing to you today to advise you that Blackpool Scouts has recently completed on the purchase of the land that once held the Marton Methodist Church. When the site first went up for sale, we did show keen interest but sadly missed out. After many meetings and negotiations, we are really pleased that this is now owned by us.
We have been able to secure the purchase through some money left to us by one of our members who sadly passed away. Our ambition and dream is to create a District Headquarters and Community Hub on the land.
Blackpool Scouts have been in the town for over 100 years but never really had a place to call home. We currently provide Skills For Life to over 800 young people every week, supported by 300 volunteers. If successful, not only will this embed our presence in the local community for years to come but also be a focal point for residents in the way that the old church was.
We hope that this will be news that you are pleased to read, and we are now in the process of obtaining some designs for our building which we will in time make available for people to view as we begin this journey.
If you have any questions about this then we would be happy for you to drop us an email on info@blackpoolscouts.org.uk
Many thanks,
Chris
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Matt
District Lead Volunteer
