Well-known Blackpool hotel officially changes name as new signs go up

Former Daish’s Blackpool Hotel was acquired by father-and-son team

A prominent hotel on Blackpool’s North Shore promenade has a new name and a new look.

The former Daish’s Blackpool Hotel is a substantial property which was run by Daish’s Coach Holidays for a number of years.

But the family-owned UK company, which provides package holidays by coach to its own chain of hotels, sold it in November as part of a shake-up of its operations.

The new owner of the the 70-bed Blackpool hotel is a smaller enterprise led by father and son Declan Scully and his son Leo, who bought it for an undisclosed sum late last year.

Now the team has completed the all-new look, switching the old grey external walls and blue signage to a magnolia shade – and new name Hotel Santa Maria.

Declan said after taking over: “My son is handling the marketing side and I’ll be overseeing the hotel and trying to make people happy!

“There is tremendous loyalty to this hotel from customers, with people coming back and even trying to book the same room.

“Our idea is to bring TLC to the building and happiness to the guests and make sure they have a lovely stay and will want to come back.

“We have total confidence in the holiday sector in Blackpool, we think it’s flourishing and that’s why we’re here.”

Daish’s Blackpool Hotel had a staff of around 30 but shortly after the take over, Declan said he was not in a position to discuss the subject of employment contracts at that stage.

Last summer saw the creation of Blackpool Tourism, which now oversees and manages major town attractions, including Blackpool Tower, Sandcastle Waterpark, and Madame Tussauds, previously operated by Merlin Entertainments.

Formed by Blackpool Council , it aims to boost the local economy and reinvest profits into town services, and recently launched its new “Ultimate Ticket”, a pass offering entry to six major attractions for £65 – Pleasure Beach Resort (including unlimited rides), Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Top, Tower Circus, Tower Dungeon, and Madame Tussauds. It is valid for 90 days after the first visit.

With a new name and new colour scheme, Hotel Santa Maria is ready for the new season.