Tag: Entrepreneurs

Granthams: 135 Years of Signage and Printing

Originally established as a sign-making business in 1890 by William Grantham in Blackpool, the company emerged in response to the increasing demand for sign-writing services in the rapidly expanding town. By the early 20th century, Blackpool was experiencing exceptional growth. Recognising the need for professional signage, William Grantham’s business had, by the turn of the century, become the leading sign-writing company in the area. The firm retained its position as the premier sign company in the region until the mid-1930s. However, between then and the outbreak of the Second World War, the business gradually reduced in size, eventually being run… Read more »

John Roberts Asssociates Moves to Blackpool

John Roberts Associates was founded in 1984 in Thornton-Cleveleys before relocating to Amy Johnson Way in Blackpool in 2003. Over the years, it has grown into a highly regarded company, specialising in custom-branded products, from clothing to promotional merchandise. Its success has been driven by a commitment to innovation, diversification, and excellence in customer service. More than just a business, John Roberts Associates is a second-generation family enterprise, where strong familial values shape their customer approach. They have built long-standing relationships with individuals, businesses, and organisations who trust their expertise year after year. Their dedicated customer service team ensures that… Read more »

Cartmell PR Puts King Kong on Blackpool Tower

Brian Cartmell was a prominent public relations (PR) professional based in Blackpool, England. He began his career as a journalist in Lancashire before moving to Canada and later returning to the UK in the early 1960s to join the Daily Mirror. After narrowly missing an opportunity to become a BBC-TV sport anchorman, he transitioned into PR, working in Manchester for 12 years before establishing his own agency in Blackpool. Operating from a modest terraced house in Caunce Street, Cartmell’s PR firm achieved significant success, boasting an annual turnover of £1 million. Aside from putting King Kong on Blackpool Tower in… Read more »

Warburtons Introduces Blackpool Milk Roll

Warburtons’ Milk Roll, first introduced in 1969, has a strong connection to Blackpool, a seaside town in Lancashire, where the company initially built its reputation for quality baking. The Milk Roll is known for its soft texture and delicate sweetness, which comes from using milk instead of water in the dough. This gives the bread a lighter, fluffier texture than traditional white bread, making it ideal for sandwiches, toast, and more. The bread’s round shape is achieved by baking it in a two-part cylindrical mould, which not only allows for even slicing but also helps trap moisture, resulting in a… Read more »

The Carr Family Behind Diana Warren & Boston Man

In 1959 Cyril Carr set up one of Blackpool’s first men’s fashion retail shops in Church Street opposite the Winter Gardens. During those times it was a revelation to see men wearing colourful and stylish clothing as the larger stores were unable to keep up with the fashion trends. Diana Warren was launched in 1964. For 21 years they successfully traded from 88 Church Street until 1980 when the company moved to The Hounds Hill Shopping Centre when it was first opened. At that point, Anthony (Tony) Carr took over the company which had already expanded to open branches in… Read more »

Mark Yates Carries on the Brooks Collectibles Tradition

Brooks gifts was started In 1949 by Mr Brooks when he returned to Blackpool after having his home and all his positions destroyed during the second world war. The shop he chose was situated at the Talbot court building on the corner of Waterloo Road and the Blackpool promenade. It was built years earlier but was requisitioned as a munitions store during the second world war. Where Mr brooks is stood in the shop door way of this photo (taken in the 1950s) once stood an armed soldier guarding the munitions store entrances, and to the right on the forecourt… Read more »

Ron Sharples Starts Blackpool’s First Professional Recording Studio

Berlin Recording Studios was founded in the 1980s by Blackpool entrepreneur Ron Sharples, who recognised that despite the town’s thriving music scene, there was no professional recording facility. At the time, he was also running a sign-making business, RS Plastics, one of the first in Blackpool to use cut vinyl lettering technology. Seeing the demand for a high-quality studio, he embarked on a project to create a space where artists could record professionally.   The studio was carefully designed and acoustically treated by professional builders, incorporating sand-filled walls and sound-absorbing carpet to ensure optimal sound quality. After extensive preparation, Berlin… Read more »

Mike Peters MBE Launches Universal Products (Lytham) Manufacturing

Mike Peters, formerly of Horne, Brooke & Shenton Accountants in Blackpool, set off on his own and launched Universal Products (Lytham) Manufacturing Ltd on Boundary Road in Lytham in Jun 1976 at the age of 21. He led the company through rapid growth, so much so that the company built its own new facility in Kirkham in 1995, employing several hundred employees until Mike left the company in October 2014, some 38 years later. He changed the name of the company to UPL along the way and was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his services… Read more »

Cuffe & Taylor Bring Major Acts to the Fylde Coast

One of the UK’s top 10 live music and event promoters, Cuffe & Taylor are experts in promotion, production, and event management. Offering exceptional experiences for artists and audiences like no other, they produce and promote major festivals, stadium tours, arena concerts and theatre shows across the UK and internationally. Founded in 2010, business partners Daniel Cuffe and Peter Taylor dipped their toe into the live music world with the one-night Lytham Proms in their hometown of Lytham, Lancashire. This has now grown into the huge five-day Lytham Festival attracting in excess of 100,000 fans each summer. Alongside Lytham Festival, Cuffe… Read more »

Jonathan & Kevin Cropper Set up Kingswood Business Supplies

On 19 September 2023, Kingswood Business Supplies moved into larger premises at 11-12 Holly Close, Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 5QP. Prior to that they were at Fylde House Skyways Commercial Campus on Amy Johnson Way. They moved there on 28 April 2009 from 12-18 King Street, Blackpool, where directors Johnathan and Kevin Cropper started the business under the name Kingswood Office Supplies Limited, on10 May 2005. Kingswood Business Supplies provide all the items you need to keep your business running smoothly, to coin a well-used phrase – A one stop shop. This includes stationery, packaging, FM, and much more, all… Read more »