Laurence lights up Blackpool

Star creates another wonderland

AS far as strange combinations go, few are as unlikely as foppish interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and the earthy charm of Blackpool.

But the former Changing Rooms man says the seaside resort is his favourite place in the world – even finding the rain there magical!

The 51-year-old interior designer is now in his tenth year working on Blackpool’s famous Illuminations, having spent much of that time as the attraction’s creative curator.

This year’s big switchon is to take place on Friday evening and will spark a stampede from all corners of the UK to visit the revamped lights.

For Laurence, an unlikely love affair with the city stretches back 30 years.

“In 1986 I was working with a rubber company, which was as glamorous as it sounds, and I was sent on a train to Blackpool to visit the Winter Gardens, which wanted some of our flooring,” he explained.

“It was a wet, ugly, foggy day when I arrived but I immediately fell in love – it was like an architectural jewel box. I didn’t see the kebab shops and tattoo parlours, I saw the beautiful white casino building and the tower and the theatre.

“When I took over the Holiday programme, I told them I wanted to do a film on Blackpool. “The BBC response was, ‘wouldn’t you rather do Bali, darling?’ “But I think we should celebrate what’s under our noses.” To begin with, Laurence’s role entailed simply designing new Illuminations each year but he’s since taken on the task of persuading local businesses to part with cash to support the light show.

“That’s become almost a full-time job,” he continued.

“We had a difficult period four or five years ago when we realised we couldn’t rely solely on council funding any more. “The Illuminations bring more than £100 million to the city every year, so I feel businesses should be engaged in that and feel proud to be involved.

“It’s about going to the local community – the