ITV News investigates Blackpool Council’s CPO in report on Alistair Taylor’s death and inquest

19 November 2025

Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver represented the family of Alistair Taylor (pictured) during his inquest. Credit: Hudgell Solicitors.

A report aired by ITV News yesterday (18 November 2025) investigates the enforced sale of Alistair Taylor’s home by Blackpool Council shortly before his death, which an inquest found played a “more than minimal role” in his suicide.

Alistair’s family, who Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver represented pro bono during the inquest, said Alistair was treated “like a number on a spreadsheet” by Blackpool Council after his home was subjected to a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in 2022.

The CPO came a year after Alistair’s barbershop lease at a local market was also ended by the Council.

Speaking ITV Granada Reports presenter Gamal Fahnbulleh, Alistair’s brother Stephen Taylor said the factors leading up to his brother taking his own life “could have been avoided”.

Alistair’s father Paul said the loss of his home, which Alistair had recently adapted for two of his children who live with disabilities, “was the last straw”.

At the conclusion of the inquest in Blackpool Coroner’s Court on 17 October, Coroner Wilson said the CPO, breakdown of Alistair’s marriage, and exposure to potentially harmful content on social media were among factors contributing to his death. Coroner Wilson added that the Council had “under-appreciated the potential impact” of the CPO on Alistair and his family.

Alistair, a father-of-four, was a highly regarded barber with his own shop, having been voted as Blackpool’s best barber. He was described as funny, caring and thoughtful, often looking out for others and advocating loudly for male mental health.

Following ITV News’ report, Leader of Blackpool Council Lynn Williams said: “This is a desperately sad situation. Our thoughts and condolences are with all of Mr Taylor’s family.

As the coroner has ruled, there were multiple reasons behind Mr Taylor’s death. We will carefully review the findings to understand what learnings we could take on into any future works.”

Hudgell Solicitors’ Gareth Hancock said: “It was never about halting or stopping the process. It was ensuring proper consideration was given to circumstances and the lives of the real people affected by this process.

We hope the council will think very carefully and take that view with every single person who falls under the areas affected by the purchase order.”

Garden Court North’s Christian Weaver was instructed by Gareth Hancock of Hudgell Solicitors to represent Alistair’s family.

If you are affected by the issues in this release, Samaritans are available 24/7. Call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org.

Additional media

ITV News – Dad who took his own life after Blackpool Council seized home ‘was treated like number’

Garden Court North Chambers – “Relentless stress” of Blackpool Council’s CPO process contributed to Alistair Taylor’s death, inquest finds

The Blackpool Lead – Enforced sale of Alistair Taylor’s home to Blackpool Council contributed to his suicide, coroner rules

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk