One of the most popular trams in Blackpool when operational is Princess Alice, or Open Top Balloon 706 if you want to include its number. And that is the very tram which features in today’s Picture in Time although it was at a time when 706 was going through a stage of carrying all over adverts.
The recent story of 706 is well known (we say recent but these events actually took place over 37 years ago now) with it being involved in a collision with 705 at Pleasure Beach in July 1980. The decision was finally made to restore 706 to open top condition and it was returned to service – in an approximation of the original green and cream livery – in 1985 just in time for the Centenary celebrations of the tramway. It was at this time that it also received its name following a visit by its namesake member of the Royal family and unlike more recent namings it is a name which has really stuck with the tram.
Having run in service for four years in the green and cream May 1989 saw the application of its first ever all over advert and it is that ad which we see on the tram in the below image. Coral Social Clubs were the sponsor of the tram and this bright and cheerful design was applied and remained in place until 1992 when another advert followed. 706 – still running with a pantograph – is shown here approaching Gynn Square on 20th August 1989 with a service running through to Bispham.
Photograph by Peter Watts