Tag: Entrepreneurs

Duncan Bannatyne Opens His Health Club in Blackpool

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Bannatyne Health Club in Blackpool opened in early August 2017, coinciding with the launch of a new spa facility that enhanced the club’s offering. The spa includes treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, as well as access to the club’s sauna and other amenities. The health club combines state-of-the-art gym equipment and a broad selection of exercise classes with luxurious swimming pools and spa facilities, creating a balanced environment for both fitness and relaxation. The club is committed to continual investment, ensuring it remains at the forefront of industry trends while providing excellent facilities, modern equipment, and great value to… Read more »

David Boyle Opens Alien, UFO, Spiritual And Paranormal Exhibition

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David Boyle was one of the Fylde coast’s most recognisable figures, often spotted with his partner Julie at club events, arriving in his replica of Jon Pertwee’s Doctor Who car, Bessie. Before gaining local fame, David had already made his mark by founding the model railway company Dapol in the 1970s alongside his late wife, Pauline. Once Dapol was passed on to the next generation, David embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Blackpool where he became a well-known, larger-than-life personality along the iconic Golden Mile. His inventive spirit extended beyond model railways—he held international patents related to solar energy… Read more »

Music Hall Tavern Becomes Apartment Block

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The building, originally a British Gas showroom and now a block of apartments, boasts a fascinating history. Aside from being the second version of the Music Hall Tavern, the other being at Yates Wine Lodge, the site also became home to the Joe Longthorne Theatre. The site underwent major redevelopment in 2018 and has since been completely renovated to provide 10 high-quality apartments. Four of these apartments offer stunning views of Blackpool Tower, the sea, and the distant fells. The block includes eight two-bedroom apartments, one 2.5-bedroom apartment, and a single one-bedroom apartment. All the apartments are equipped with brand… Read more »

Central Picture Theatre, King Edward VII Pub & Picture House and Tudor Bingo

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Constructed in 1913 by Magee, Marshall & Co Ltd, this Edwardian pub originally opened as the Central Picture Theatre on 11th July 1913. It was rebranded as the King Edward Picture Palace in 1914. When the King Edward Cinema opened its doors in July 1913, it was first known as the Central Picture Theatre—a name that remains visible in cream terracotta on the grand, curved gable that rises above Central Drive, at the junction with Read’s Avenue. This was in the early days of silent cinema, and from the outset, the King Edward sought to establish itself as ‘the finest… Read more »

Blackpool’s Duple Launches Dartline Coaches

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H. V. Burlingham was a British coachbuilding business based in Blackpool, from 1928 until 1960, when they were taken over by London-based rivals Duple Motor Bodies. Duple initially renamed Burlingham as Duple (Northern) but in 1969 they closed their Hendon factory and concentrated production in Blackpool. Duple coach bodies were built in the former Burlingham premises until Duple itself was liquidated in 1989. The Blackpool site was best known for producing the ‘Seagull’ bodies in the 1950s. Towards the end of 1961 Bedford introduced the VAS chassis and Duple produced a completely new design – the Bella Vista – for… Read more »

‘King Billy’ Greenwood Opens First Tudor Bingo

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‘King Billy’ Greenwood, entrepreneur and self-made businessman, from Knott End to Fleetwood, and Blackpool’s Tudor Bingo Empire that made him a Millionaire in the swinging 1960s! William David Greenwood (1915-1991), always known as Billy, was born in Blackpool. His parents, Agnes and Harold, lived on Fenton Road, where they brought up their family including Billy’s two sisters Annie and May, along with younger brother Harry. Billy’s father worked for the railway at Blackpool’s Central Station and was on two occasions given the prestigious responsibility of commanding the Royal Train. Billy as a young man was always seeking his fortune and… Read more »

Fourth Generation Commercial Pilot in Westoby Family

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Prior to WWII, Westair had been involved in aviation since the 1930s when it was started by Walter “Wally” Westoby pictured below. Wally started his career as an engineer on lifts for coal mines. Later he would start out as mechanic on aircraft before becoming a pilot himself. At the time he was flying out of an aerodrome based at Blackpool’s Stanley Park. Some of the aircraft hangars still exist at the Zoo as part of the elephant enclosure. During the Second World War Wally was sent to Canada, teaching Navigation for the RAF. There he flew Avro Ansons like… Read more »

Heritage North West Takes Over the Clifton Family Home

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Evleyn Waugh declared the Cliftons as “all tearing mad” when he visited Lytham Hall in the 1930s. The last Squire Clifton, Harry, managed to squander the family fortunes and bring to an end several centuries of Clifton family dominance for Lytham and St Annes in Lancashire. Harry’s reckless and eccentric behaviour, not to mention his wild schemes and obsession with the occult, left very little of his families vast estates in Lancashire and Scotland. His father, John Talbot Clifton, had lost in his lifetime the family’s estates in Ireland after it became independent from the British Crown at the end… Read more »

Despite Turbulent Times in the Pub Trade, Duckworth Stays on Top

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The government’s ban on cigarette vending machines in restaurants, pubs, and clubs had a significant impact on these businesses and their suppliers. Despite this, Rod Bullough has successfully navigated these challenging times, ensuring the continuation of his family business. One of the ways he has done this is by designing a ‘back bar’ cigarette dispenser, which appears to comply with current regulations. The tobacco control industry claimed that 52,000 children in England accessed cigarettes via vending machines each year. However, this figure was based on estimates and the responses of teenagers from a limited number of surveys. While consumer opposition… Read more »

Savoy Garage – Blackpool’s Oldest

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The Savoy Garage was first built in 1914 with its purpose being to serve the nearby Savoy Hotel. Very little has been altered to this day, still remaining in use as a service garage. So significant is its history, it has been awarded a Grade II listing. The reasons for that designation are as follows: Architectural interest Externally it possesses a strong level of architectural treatment, including a striking terracotta-clad front elevation incorporating a shaped gable, decorative pilaster strips and paired, arched openings with raised voussoirs * Date: It is a 2-storey, former hotel garage that dates to the earliest… Read more »