Blackpool to host one day Comic Con in September 2015

By John Freeman on December 5, 2014

Blackpool Comic Con is to take place on 12th September 2015 at the northern seaside town’s world famous Winter Gardens.

“Like never before Blackpool will play host to the brightest and best Comic Con that the UK has to offer,” say the organisers, who expect to make their first big guest announcement early next week. The Winter Gardens will play host to a plethora of stars from both the big and small screens.

“Response so far has been out of this world, and we have not made a single big announcement. Tickets and trader stands are selling like hotcakes.”

The new British comic event is the brainchild of Paddy O’Hare and Luke Williams, who organise a number of conventions in the North West. After attending numerous other conventions all over the UK, the Cheshire-based pair told the Blackpool Gazette they are delighted to have chosen Blackpool’s Winter Gardens as the venue to host this major new event, showcasing all they love best in television and movie fantasy.

“Cons all kind of repeat a similar pattern, a massive room with a lot of tables and they can be very ‘beige’, it’s like a factory,” feels the radio DJ, musician and film fanatic Paddy, who has been collecting movie merchandise since he was at school.

“But what we figured with this spectacular venue is that it can be more like a journey or a show, it’s about putting a bit more imagination and thought into it, and creating an interactive experience for fans.”

“For me, Blackpool represents my childhood,” says Luke, an an experienced events organiser. “I used to visit here a lot, and Paddy did too. His dad is a singer and used to perform here for summer seasons and on the Pier.

“We feel like we want to give something back to the town that we remember so fondly and we will also be raising money for local charity Autism Initiatives Group, along with Make A Wish UK.”

• The Blackpool Comic Con web site is at: www.blackpoolcomiccon.com or you can buy tickets direct from Ticketline

• Follow Blackpool Comic Con on Twitter @thecomicconco and Facebook

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.