Tag: Blue Plaques

Desmond Bagley Novel Gets Made into a Paul Newman Movie

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Desmond Bagley was born on 29 October 1923 in Kendal, Westmorland (now Cumbria), to John and Hannah Bagley. In the summer of 1935, when he was 12, his family relocated to Blackpool. Soon after the move, he left school and took on various jobs, including working as a printer’s assistant and in a factory. During the Second World War, he was employed in the aircraft industry, though his lifelong stutter initially exempted him from military conscription. Bagley became widely known as both a journalist and a novelist, earning a reputation for his gripping thrillers. Alongside fellow British writers such as… Read more »

Victoria Monks Appears at the Empire Theatre

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Victoria Annie Monks, born in Blackpool on 1 November 1882, was a prominent music hall singer in the early 20th century. During the Edwardian era and the First World War, she gained recognition for performing and recording popular songs such as Take Me Back to London Town and Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home? The daughter of optician Andrew Thomas Monks, she was educated in both England and Belgium. Her early performances were recorded in the Blackpool Gazette & Herald on 13 August 1897, where she was billed as “Little Victoria” at the Empire, Blackpool. She made her London debut… Read more »

Clifton Arms – First Built on What is Now Park Street

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The Clifton Arms Hotel was originally built around 1794 on Clifton Street, which is now part of Park Street. Its successor, a two-storey structure, was constructed in 1839 on West Beach. In 1875, all the buildings that made up the hotel were raised to the same height and sold to a private company. Situated in the heart of Lytham, a charming town on the Lancashire coast with a rich heritage, the Clifton Arms Hotel has a long history. Over 300 years ago, this location was home to a small coaching inn on the estate of the prominent Clifton family. As… Read more »

Harry Corbett Brings Sooty to Life

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Sooty is a British children’s television franchise created by Harry Corbett, primarily encompassing television and stage shows. The origins of the franchise date back to 19 July 1948, when Corbett discovered an all-yellow bear glove puppet while visiting the North Pier on holiday in Blackpool. He purchased the puppet and began using it to entertain his children, including his newborn son, Matthew (later known as Peter). Initially named “Teddy,” Corbett used the puppet for comedic routines and magic tricks, which led him to appear on the BBC talent competition Talent Night in 1952, held at Belle Vue, Manchester. Corbett’s performance… Read more »

Blackpool’s Victorian Great Wheel

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Blackpool’s iconic tower dominates the skyline at the famous seaside resort with nothing to challenge it, however that wasn’t always the case. In 1896 it had a rival in the form of the ‘Giant Wheel’ although in reality it was never a genuine challenger and lasted a mere 32 years. At around the same time, a roller coaster was built around the corner. See more on that here. Designed by Walter B Bassett and situated next to Blackpool Winter Gardens, the structure was the second wheel out of four that the British Naval Engineer was to erect between the years… Read more »

Blackpool Tower & Ballroom

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Blackpool Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom, officially opened its doors to the public on 14 May 1894. At the time of its inauguration, it was celebrated as the tallest man-made structure within the British Empire. Standing at an impressive 518 feet (158 metres), it was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and remains an enduring symbol of innovation and entertainment. Today, it ranks as the 125th-tallest freestanding tower in the world. Blackpool Tower is more than just the tower itself; it is the focal point of the Tower Buildings, an elaborate entertainment complex… Read more »

Blackpool’s Abingdon Street Market

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Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool reopened on 27 May 2023 after a long period of closure, bringing new life to the area. With its eclectic mix of independent food vendors, bars, and coffee shops, it has quickly become a popular destination for both locals and visitors. The market has exceeded initial expectations for footfall and business projections, and the operating team, The Little Blackpool Leisure Company, is excited to continue developing the space. Their focus is on expanding the market’s retail offerings and rolling out further phases of recruitment to attract more independent retailers, while continuing to offer unique entertainment… Read more »

The Cliffs Hotel

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The Cliffs Hotel occupies a prominent position on Queen’s Promenade in the North Shore area of the town. Built in 1921, the hotel is an impressive example of Baroque-style architecture, featuring a striking combination of red brick and yellow terracotta. Its distinctive gables, adorned with horizontal stripes, add to its architectural charm. Currently owned by Choice Hotels Ltd, the Cliffs offers 160 bedrooms, maintaining its reputation as a significant destination for visitors. In 1936–37, architect Halstead Best undertook a major expansion of the hotel, including the addition of an underground car park. By this time, the property had grown to… Read more »

The Imperial Hotel

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The Imperial Hotel, originally part of the Puma Hotels Collection, is a distinguished 4-star establishment situated on the northern promenade. Established in 1867, this magnificent Victorian red-brick building was erected on the site of what was once Claremont Park before its conversion into a hotel. Over its long history, the hotel has seen multiple changes in ownership. It was managed by Barceló Hotels for many years before being taken over by The Hotel Collection in June 2014. In 2017, the hotel embarked on a new chapter when it was acquired by Singapore’s Fragrance Group for £12.8 million. Famed for its… Read more »

The Start of Jaguar Cars in Blackpool

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Sir William Lyons was a pivotal figure in the British automotive industry and co-founder of the Jaguar car company. He was born on 4 September 1901 in Blackpool and attended Arnold School. From there he obtained an engineering apprenticeship at Crossley Motors in Manchester, where he also studied at the technical school. Lyons played a crucial role in shaping the design and engineering of some of the 20th century’s most iconic cars. He began his career by co-founding the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922 with William Walmsley. Their first factory, located at No. 5 Bloomfield Road, was home to the Swallow Sidecar… Read more »