Tag: Landmarks

Ron Sharples Starts Blackpool’s First Professional Recording Studio

Posted by

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

Posted by

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 »

Jonathan & Kevin Cropper Set up Kingswood Business Supplies

Posted by

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 »

Stringers First Opens its Doors in Lytham

Posted by

Stringers is a family-run independent department store at the heart of Lytham, offering a carefully curated selection of fashion, home, and lifestyle products. Dedicated to providing an exceptional shopping experience, it has become a well-loved retail destination for customers across the Fylde coast and beyond. The business dates back to 1852, originally opening as a drapery store, and has been owned and operated by three generations of the Clarke family since 1957. Over the years, Stringers has built a reputation for quality, style, and excellent service, with every product carefully selected to reflect on-trend design, craftsmanship, and originality. At the… Read more »

Greyhound Racing Finishes at Clifton Park Racecourse, Squires Gate

Posted by

Clifton Park Racecourse at Squires Gate was a short-lived greyhound track in Blackpool, operating for just four years before closing in 1937. Often mistaken for the nearby Blackpool Greyhound Stadium, Clifton Park had an unusual layout that ultimately contributed to its decline. Originally, the site was relocated in 1911 to a large area of land south of Blackpool and north of St Annes-on-Sea, intended to become a long-term venue for horse racing. A grandstand was constructed on the south side of Squires Gate Lane, while 144 stable boxes were built near Blackpool Golf Links. To the east of the racecourse,… Read more »

David Hyland Hands Over the ARC Reins

Posted by

David Hyland, the company’s founder, went to Palatine High School in Blackpool and studied Industrial Engineering from 1971 – 1987. He launched ARC in 1982, with just 1 apprentice in a small unit but soon grew out of it, and in 1988 he moved the business into the Palmer Avenue site. Since then the company has grown to 48 employees and has moved to their current location on Amy Johnson Way, servicing some of the largest insurance companies in the UK. Back in 2007, they were the first bodyshop in Lancashire to achieve the then PAS125, which became BS10125, an accreditation they… Read more »

John Lennon’s Father’s Home in Blackpool

Posted by

The Fylde coast played a significant role in John Lennon’s early years. As a child, Lennon spent many summers with his cousins, Leila and Stanley, who were at boarding schools in St Annes and Rossall. He would often take the tram to Blackpool, where he enjoyed performances by George Formby, Dickie Valentine, and Arthur Askey. He also learned to swim at Fleetwood’s old open-air baths, and it’s even rumoured that he and Stanley supported Fleetwood Town. In June 1946, John’s father, Alfred, visited his sister Mimi at 251 Menlove Avenue and took John on what seemed like a long “holiday”… Read more »

Clifton Arms – First Built on What is Now Park Street

Posted by

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 »

Steve Williams Sets up Force Technology

Posted by

Force Technology was founded in 2015 to drive development and innovation in the precision, high-duty spring markets. The company chose to establish its operations within the Enterprise Zone, which met several key requirements, with many of the team members hailing from the local area. The location offers access to a strong, potential workforce, supported by Blackpool and the surrounding region’s thriving engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors. Alongside advanced processing facilities, Force Technology boasts a metallurgical laboratory and a component testing facility, including an engine dyno, further solidifying its commitment to innovation within the industry. The business management systems are fully… Read more »

Derek Woodman Rides in His First TT Race

Posted by

Derek Woodman, born in Blackpool on April 26, 1959, is a former world-class motorcycle racer and the longtime owner of one of the UK’s top BMW dealerships. Raised in a working-class family, he wasn’t expected to go far academically, but his love for motorcycles and mechanical work led him to become a skilled toolmaker. Despite his mother’s objections—due to a past family tragedy involving motorcycles—Derek’s passion for racing grew, and at 14, he visited the Isle of Man to watch the famous TT races, which left a lasting impression. After leaving school at 15, he worked at a motorcycle shop… Read more »