Blackpool launches £300m procurement process for first Silicon Sands data centre
Coastal town targets AI Growth Zone status.
26 November 2025
Blackpool Council has launched a £300 million procurement process to find a development partner for its flagship Silicon Sands digital infrastructure programme, marking a major step in the town’s efforts to establish itself as a new UK hub for data and technology.
The council is seeking partners to design, build, finance, and operate a 6MVA exemplar data centre at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. The provider will also be responsible for integrating the facility’s waste heat into a proposed district heat network. The development will include ancillary office space and must be delivered to high sustainability standards.
The contract will run for an initial term of three years starting in June 2026, with the successful operator granted a 250-year lease on the site. The estimated value of the contract is £300 million, including VAT.
Planning permission for the data centre has already been granted, with the site located on the former airport fire station. The facility is expected to incorporate renewable power sources and advanced cooling systems, including immersion technology. According to the tender documents, the project will also play a central role in Blackpool’s bid for AI Growth Zone status, a government designation that would accelerate planning approvals and enhance power access for future developments.
The Silicon Sands initiative forms part of the wider Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone strategy to attract high-value digital businesses and boost economic growth. The council describes the data centre as the first phase of a multi-phase programme aimed at fostering AI, cloud services, and emerging technologies.
Cllr Mark Smith, cabinet member for economy and built environment, said the programme has already attracted “significant interest” from the private sector and could deliver long-term employment and investment: “Silicon Sands is a transformational opportunity for Blackpool. It can create thousands of well-paid jobs, attract investment, and put us at the forefront of sustainable digital development.”
The project’s location offers proximity to key digital infrastructure, including the Celtix-Connect2 subsea cable landing station, which links the UK with North America and mainland Europe. Interested bidders have until 19 December to submit requests to participate in the procurement process via the council’s procurement portal.
