BLACKPOOL HERITAGE AND MUSEUM TRUST

Registered charity 1205103 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as THE SHOWTOWN TRUST

To promote the education of the public in relation to the history of Blackpool by the operation, maintenance and preservation of a museum in Blackpool known as 'Showtown: the museum of fun and entertainment'. To promote the history and heritage of Blackpool and the maintenance and preservation of the Blackpool heritage collections.

Causes: Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£449k

Latest spending

£2.1m

Registered

2023

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net liability position of £1,517,371 and a significant net expenditure of £1,622,015 for the year. The trustees note that the charity relies on continued financial support from Blackpool Council to meet its liabilities and operate as a going concern. The reserves policy section indicates the organization does not yet possess the resources to set aside meaningful reserves.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor

“The Trustees have received confirmation that the amounts due to Blackpool Council will not be demanded for repayment in such a way that would cause the charity to fail to meet its liabilities as they fall due and have received confirmation that Blackpool Council will continue to provide such support as may be required. On this basis the charity is considered to be a going concern.” — page 12

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Payments to trustees: Chair received £5,000; Mr M Etches received £289.

“As noted in the Trustees' Report, the Chair has received £5,000 (2024: £5,000) and Mr M etches has received £289 (2024: £2,500) during the year funded by Blackpool Council as partial compensation for their time.” — page 17

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 3 of 6 completeness components.

Funders the charity credits

Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).

Blackpool Council — “We would like to thank: Blackpool Council” (source page)

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Register events

Received assets from another charity (12/11/2025) — per the register’s event history; asset transfers typically record mergers or reorganisations.

Trustees · trustee networks

Spencer John Phillipschair · trustee of 1 other charity
Anita Cooper
David Webster
Gillan Campbell
KATHRYN MARY BENSON
NIGEL JOHN ARTHUR PATTERSON

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Blackpool

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
30/03/2025	£449k	£2.1m

Common questions

Is BLACKPOOL HERITAGE AND MUSEUM TRUST financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net liability position of £1,517,371 and a significant net expenditure of £1,622,015 for the year. The trustees note that the charity relies on continued financial support from Blackpool Council to meet its liabilities and operate as a going concern. The reserves policy section indicates the organization does not yet possess the resources to set aside meaningful reserves. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

Funder	Date	Amount	Purpose
The National Lottery Heritage Fund	25/01/2024	£145k	"Resilience & Recovery: Lights On, Curtain Up, It's Showtime at Showtown"