Tag: Entrepreneurs

Booths Supermarket Started as China House

Posted by

Edwin Henry Booth (1828–1899) was a pioneering English entrepreneur who founded Booths, a family-owned supermarket chain renowned for its quality and innovation. Born in Bury, Lancashire, he was orphaned by the age of 11 and ran away from home. At just 19, Booth secured an £80 loan to open his first shop, The China House, in Blackpool in 1847. This marked the beginning of a retail legacy. By 1855, Booth had opened a second shop in Chorley, and with the relaxation of UK licensing laws, he expanded into selling wine and liquor. The added profitability enabled further expansion, leading to… Read more »

Frank Taylor of Taylor Woodrow

Posted by

Taylor Woodrow was created from the work of Frank Taylor and his uncle, Jack Woodrow. Frank was born in Hadfield, near Glossop in Derbyshire in 1905 and started working in the family fruit wholesaling business when they moved to Blackpool. In 1921, at the age of 16, he persuaded his father that he could build a house for the family to live in. Frank borrowed money off his uncle Woodrow and a friendly bank manager and built two houses. One was intended for his father and the other his uncle at 347 and 349 Central Drive, but the family members… Read more »

Tony Prosser’s Realtime Dream

Posted by

Tony’s deep passion for computer graphics and animation inspired him to establish RealtimeUK in 1996, with the vision of creating a leading creative studio—a dream he has successfully realised. His journey began during his studies in Technical Illustration at Blackpool and The Fylde College, where he discovered his love for computer graphics. Motivated by this newfound interest, Tony dedicated his focus to CGI, eventually graduating and taking a bold leap into entrepreneurship with a £4,000 loan from his mother. He wasn’t alone in this venture; Steve Kerswell and Jon Clayton, fellow graduates from the same Technical Illustration course, joined him… Read more »

Peter Chelsom’s First Feature Film

Posted by

Peter Chelsom, born on 20 April 1956 in St Annes on the Fylde Coast, to antiques shop owners Kay and Reginald Chelsom, is a renowned film director, writer, and actor. Educated at Wrekin College (1969–1973) and the Central School of Drama in London, Chelsom has crafted a remarkable career spanning acting and filmmaking. Holding dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States, he is also an Honorary Citizen of Fivizzano, a small town in Tuscany, and a member of respected organisations such as the British Academy, the American Academy, the Directors Guild of America, and the Writers Guild… Read more »

The Start of Jaguar Cars in Blackpool

Posted by

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 »

Coastal Radio Local Business Awards

Posted by

The inaugural Coastal Radio LBA (Local Business Awards) in 2024 was a resounding success, setting the stage for what promises to become an annual highlight in the region’s business calendar. The event was made possible by the incredible support of Coastal Radio’s headline sponsor, Danbro Business Solutions and Financial Planning, alongside the invaluable contributions of the other 24 category sponsors, all of whom played a vital role in bringing the awards to life. A heartfelt thank you was extended to every sponsor, partner, and supplier involved in the event. Without their commitment and dedication, this celebration of local business excellence… Read more »

The Enterprise Vision Awards

Posted by

The Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs) are one of the most prestigious business awards for women in the UK, celebrating the achievements, talents, and entrepreneurial spirit of women in business across a range of industries. Founded in 2010, the awards aim to inspire and showcase the success of women who have shown exceptional leadership, innovation, and success in their respective fields. The event is particularly significant for highlighting the contributions of women in business and empowering them to continue making strides in a traditionally male-dominated arena. Each year, the Enterprise Vision Awards bring together a diverse range of female entrepreneurs, leaders,… Read more »

Thompson Family Takes Over Pleasure Beach

Posted by

Blackpool Pleasure Beach was founded in 1896 by Alderman William George Bean, a man with an entrepreneurial spirit who initially aspired to make his mark in advertising on New York’s Madison Avenue. After an unsuccessful attempt to break into the advertising world, Bean returned to the UK in 1897, bringing with him a vision inspired by the bustling amusements he’d seen in the U.S. He set up two amusement ventures: one in Great Yarmouth near Euston Road, and the other in Blackpool, located near the tram terminus. While the Great Yarmouth park struggled to attract visitors, the Blackpool location flourished…. Read more »

Enterprise Centre

Posted by

After more than three decades in the accounting and financial management industry, Mark launched South Shore Accountants Limited in 2013, bringing his extensive experience in tax planning, auditing, and business consultancy to the local community. His firm focuses on providing tailored financial services to small and medium-sized businesses, helping them navigate complex financial landscapes and achieve sustainable growth. The Enterprise Centre in Blackpool, a vital part of the town’s business landscape, serves as a hub for local entrepreneurs and startups. Situated in the South Shore area, the Centre offers modern, flexible office spaces within the Blackpool Enterprise Zone, designed to… Read more »

Social Enterprise Solutions

Posted by

Based in the most deprived ward in the country, Social Enterprise Solutions is a community organisation that acts as a beacon of hope for many. Working primarily in the north west of England Social Enterprise Solutions CIC has successfully delivered enterprise support to individuals, community groups, charities, the private and the public sector in the development of social businesses. As thought-leaders in social enterprise, the team have initiated and driven a national approach to establishing Social Enterprise Places working in collaboration with Liverpool Hope University, Social Enterprise UK, Co-operatives UK, RBS and The Royal Society of Arts. Social Enterprise UK… Read more »