Tag: Entrepreneurs

Robert’s Oyster Bar, Trading on the Prom for Nearly 150 Years

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Robert’s Oyster Bar, 90 Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 1HB, located in the famous Robert’s Oyster Rooms, a staple on the Blackpool Promenade for nearly 150 years. Robert’s Oyster Rooms has been in Blackpool since 1876 and sells all manner of seaside and beach goods alongside a wide selection of fresh shellfish on the Oyster Bar. It was originally built to be Blackpool’s most famous oyster bar, and at the time, this large, three-storey building must have been very impressive. The first customers could buy seven oysters for a shilling, the equivalent of around 5pence in today’s money. What a bargain! Today,… Read more »

Cornelius Bagot Moves Back to Blackpool

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The son of C. Bagot, Esq of Blackpool, yeoman, who for over forty years held the honorary office of Overseer of that town, Cornelius Bagot was born in Blackpool, 15 February 1838, and was educated at the Marton Grammar School, under the Rev. Joseph Bryers, M.A., and Rogers’ School, Blackpool. He served a full apprenticeship to William Stones, of Blackburn, and afterwards had over thirty years’ experience in Manchester with Peter Bradshaw Alley, architect and surveyor, John Lowe, FRIBA, and with William Dawes, architect surveyor, and others. He commenced practice in Manchester in I886, and was engaged upon numerous schools,… Read more »

Harold Larwood – From Cricket to Sweets & Tobacco

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Harold Larwood, a celebrated English cricketer, had a connection to Blackpool after his first-class cricket career with Nottinghamshire ended. He played for Blackpool Cricket Club in 1939. On the outbreak of war, Larwood left the game altogether, to work away from the public eye as a market gardener. In 1946 he used his savings to buy a sweet shop on Caunce Street in Blackpool. A park in Victory Road, Blackpool, was renamed in his honour. Although he generally kept away from organised cricket and avoided all personal publicity, he was persuaded to attend a farewell luncheon for Don Bradman at… Read more »

The Steady Growth of Melrose Investments

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Melrose Investments was established in 1998 by Chris Chadwick in Marsh Mill Village, Thornton Cleveleys. His brother Andy was also very successful while running Chadwicks Timber, which was sold in 2005 to Saint-Gobain, a global construction materials leader, and now trades under the name of Jewson. Melrose Investments has a very successful track record of developing and investing in property across the North West of England for over 25 years. From their early beginnings as a residential developer, they are now concentrated on residential and commercial investment. Their commercial offices and retail outlets are situated within their award winning Marsh… Read more »

Farmer Parrs Tractor Shed Bistro, Jumping Pillows, Museum and Animal World

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Farmer Parrs Tractor Shed Bistro is a family owned and run fully licensed restaurant in Fleetwood that opened in 2019. They serve sumptuous breakfasts and elegant lunches – all in a beautiful setting. Light, bright, spacious and stylish. The Tractor Shed Bistro is the perfect location to meet friends and family or to impress business associates. They have also brought back their very popular Sunday Lunches. Tasty roast dinners served from 12pm-3.30pm every Sunday between September and April. But there’s so much more to see and do at Farmer Parrs. They have the fabulous museum called the Fylde Country Life… Read more »

Opening of Fylde Country Life Museum at Farmer Parrs

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The Fylde Country Life Heritage Centre is set out in 10,000 square feet of farm buildings. There are twenty-six major exhibits set out in realistic scenes of shops, rooms and buildings. They cover living, working and leisure. A cottage, blacksmith, clogger, office, dairy, lineshafting, and World Wars 1 and 2 are only part of the wide range of displays. Most of the collection has been restored to working condition by members of the Fylde Country Life Preservation Society. The museum is only part of what makes Farmer Parrs a fabulous day out. They also have the wonderful Tractor Shed Bistro,… Read more »

Dorothy Kavanagh’s Busy Doll Shop on Caunce Street

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A shop with living accommodation on the corner of Bucanhan & Caunce Street came up for sale in 1962. Don & Dorothy Kavanagh bought it but it was in a dreadful state. Despite this, they moved in with their two young children Chris and Kathy, and set about renovating it from top to bottom. The shop opened as a general antique shop but it soon became clear that Dorothy loved antique dolls. She spent much of her time buying, selling and learning about dolls and their history. Don dealt more in other items of interest such as art, porcelain &… Read more »

Frank Parkinson Founds F Parkinson & Son Ltd

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The company has a rich history dating back to 1934 and has since gained a reputation for delivering high quality construction projects throughout the North of England, operating from its three regional offices in Blackpool, Manchester and York. The company was founded by Frank Parkinson under the name of ‘F Parkinson & Son’ located on Elizabeth Street in Blackpool. The company began as a family-run business, focusing on local construction projects. Over the years, it expanded its operations and expertise, undertaking various refurbishment, extension, and new build schemes. Today, F Parkinson Ltd operates from regional offices in Blackpool, Manchester, and… Read more »

Beverley Wood Founds BWD Limited

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Beverley Wood founded BWD Limited (also known as Beverley Wood Design Ltd) in 2005. BWD Limited is a commercial interior design firm based in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. Under Beverley Wood’s leadership as Founder and Creative Director, the company specialises in designing and delivering projects across various sectors, including travel environments, events and exhibitions, retail and hospitality, visitor attractions, office interiors, and urban design schemes. ​The firm offers a comprehensive range of services, from design feasibility studies to full project implementation, and emphasises creating spaces that are both operationally efficient and aesthetically pleasing.​ They offer a full range of design services… Read more »

Fleetwood’s Brown & Jackson Becomes Eric Wright Construction

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Brown and Jackson in Fleetwood was founded in 1923, but was purchased in 1979 by Eric Wright, who changed the company name to Eric Wright Construction. This laid the foundation for what is now the Eric Wright Group (EWG). From those early beginnings, the company has been dedicated to developing a culture of excellence across the sectors of: construction, civil engineering, facilities management, water infrastructure and property development. Underpinned by a genuine belief in the value of establishing long-term relationships with partners and clients, the Group’s unique social focus and continued commercial success has also enabled them to consistently expand… Read more »