Author: Ed

Jim Davidson Back in Blackpool

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Jim Davidson OBE, a staple of British comedy, first headlined a full summer season in Blackpool in 1993, but his association with the resort began earlier. In 1991, he delighted audiences with 15 Sunday shows at the Opera House, building on his reputation as a comedic force since his breakout victory on New Faces in 1976. His Blackpool debut came in 1977, joining the All Laughter Showtime cast on North Pier alongside Little and Large, Norman Collier, and Frank Carson. Over the years, he has returned to Blackpool for various productions, including festive shows like his adult pantomime Sinderella and… Read more »

Jimmy Clitheroe, Not Born but Bred in Blackpool

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James Robinson Clitheroe (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer best remembered for his long-running BBC Radio programme, The Clitheroe Kid (1956–1972). Born on Christmas Eve in Clitheroe, Lancashire, he was the only child of weavers Emma Pye and James Robert Clitheroe. His birth took place at his maternal grandparents’ home on Wilkin Street (now Highfield Road). He grew up in the mill village of Blacko, near Nelson, living at Spout Houses, a row of terraced homes below Blacko Tower. Educated at local schools, he left formal education at 14, then the standard leaving age…. Read more »

Thompsons Shopfitters & Building Contractors

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Thompson Contracts Blackpool Ltd was founded in 2008 by brothers Matthew and Joseph Thompson. Initially targeting pubs, breweries, and leisure facilities, the company quickly grew in reputation and scope. After two years of operations, they relocated from a single unit on a business park to Dales Farm, where they established their Head Office and workshops. This move marked the beginning of their expansion into new sectors, including service stations, hospitals, hotels, railway stations, and airports. Between 2016 and 2018, Thompson Contracts further broadened its portfolio, taking on projects within the retail sector and for football clubs. However, in 2019, the…

Casdon Toys

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Casdon Toys was founded on June 8, 1946, by Thomas Cassidy with the vision to create toys that would spark children’s imagination and promote their development through play. Today, it remains a family-owned and managed business, now in its third generation, under the leadership of Phil and Peter Cassidy. The company’s journey began in a modest shed in the backyard of Thomas’s Blackpool home. As a skilled toolmaker, Thomas started by crafting molds to produce miniature, decorative items aimed at children. In order to fund his toy-making venture, he also repaired vacuum cleaners in his spare time. The name “Casdon”… Read more »

From Blackpool Selfstore to Storage King

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Blackpool Selfstore, once the largest self-storage operator in the area, was acquired by Storage King in 2021. Prior to its acquisition, Blackpool Selfstore had established a strong presence in the region, offering extensive storage solutions to both individuals and businesses. The facility, located at 20 Clifton Road in the Tellcom Business Centre, first opened its doors in 2005. With 30,100 square feet of storage space, it was designed with room for future expansion to accommodate the growing demand for storage services. David Ireland, the original founder of Blackpool Selfstore, played a pivotal role in the development of the facility. He… Read more »

The Rise of Febland Group

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Febland Group Ltd has been a cornerstone of the British retail and distribution landscape for over 70 years. Established in 1952, the company began its journey under the leadership of Dexter Febland, whose family legacy in the business continues to this day. As the company grew, challenges arose, particularly in the safe and efficient importation of highly detailed and delicate pieces from Italy. To address these challenges, in 1965, Dexter’s father, Anthony Febland, founded Febland Italiana, a haulage business with offices and warehousing in Novara, Italy. This enabled the company to better manage the export of cargo to Italy and… Read more »

From David Halsall Toys to HTI

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Founded in 1952, HTI is one of the UK’s largest independent designers and manufacturers of children’s toys, with a long-standing reputation for supplying some of the world’s biggest retailers. The company operates globally, with offices and showrooms in the UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Holland, and China. HTI has a clear vision to become the first choice for high-quality, innovative toys, aiming to provide children worldwide with the opportunity to grow and have fun through imaginative play. The company began its journey as David Halsall Ltd, initially supplying UK-made toys and fireworks. A key turning point came in 1968 when Graham… Read more »

Smiths Equipment Hire

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Smiths Equipment Hire was officially established as a separate company in 1970, emerging from the family’s longstanding coal merchant and haulage business, Birchfield Haulage Ltd. Over the decades, Smiths has flourished, becoming one of the largest independent hire companies in the Northwest of England, with a reputation for reliability and innovation in the equipment hire sector. In 1998, Smiths expanded by opening a depot in Preston, followed by a sixth depot in Blackburn in 2001. A significant turning point came in 2004, when the Preston depot relocated to a prominent 6,000-square-foot facility along the main A6 road. This new site,… Read more »

Chelsom – Lighting the Way From Blackpool

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In 1947, Reg and Kay Chelsom established their small antique lighting shop in Blackpool, naming it The Golden Age. Initially focusing on antique lighting, the couple quickly expanded to three shops and began manufacturing reproduction period lighting. These pieces were distributed to retailers and interior designers across the UK. Their son, Robert Chelsom, now the Chairman, took over the business in the 1970s and propelled the company to prominence within the hospitality lighting industry. Since 2006, Robert’s son, Will Chelsom, has played a pivotal role, particularly in expanding the company’s presence in the marine lighting sector and increasing exports, which… Read more »

The Beginning of Gilberts

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Gilberts (Blackpool) limited is one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of grilles, diffusers, louvres, smoke/fire dampers and natural ventilation systems for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry. Privately owned, the company was originally established in 1960 by Gil Haslam when he returned from Canada to set up business supplying and installing domestic warm air heating systems.