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Resort's history centre reopens after roof repairs

BBC Memorabilia in Blackpool's Showtown History Centre - Norman Wisdom's suit and hat, the drawing on an easel is of Doodles (The Tower Clown in residence prior to Chalie Cairoli). A bowler hat is Charlie Cairoli's, as is a fly repellent whistle and trick dog lead and a small medal is a Tower Circus medal. Another drawing on an easel shows the original skull and cross bones design of the Coral Island buildingBBC
A costume worn by entertainer Sir Norman Wisdom and Charlie Cairoli's bowler hat are among the new additions

A history centre celebrating the "rich entertainment heritage" of a seaside resort is reopening after extensive repairs to the roof and a refurbishment.

Blackpool's Showtown History Centre on the first floor of Central Library on Queen Street has been closed since February 2020 due to significant roof damage.

It is home to more than 100,000 items across three departments: print and visual, archives and manuscripts, and costume and material culture.

Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams said the centre had several unseen new items including the Charlie Cairoli Collection of Circus and Performance, which celebrates the resort's world famous clown.

'Unique town'

Williams said she was delighted the facility, which was opened in 2008 by Sir Ken Dodd, had reopened its doors.

"It's a fantastic resource for local and family history as well as a place for curious people to uncover the stories of Blackpool's past and discover how they have helped to shape our unique town," she said.

"There are several new additions to the collections which people won't have had the opportunity to explore until now."

This includes a rare 18th-century handbill from 1775, which is part of the Cairoli Collection and documents an extraordinary performance by two sets of twins, who performed before King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

Another new acquisition is the original wig and schoolboy cap worn by Wee Jimmy Krankie, which is part of a larger donation to Blackpool's Showtown Museum of costumes from the popular comedy duo, The Krankies.

A costume worn by entertainer Sir Norman Wisdom, who performed several times in Blackpool, is also a new addition.

Originally called the Local and Family History Centre, the attraction was renamed the History Centre in 2017.

In October 2022, as part of the project development with Blackpool's Showtown Museum, it got its new name, Showtown History Centre.

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