Author: Ed

Ribby Hall Village & Spa Hotel

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Twenty-five years ago, the Harrison family began developing what has since become one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. In the mid-1990s, they acquired a partly developed, dilapidated caravan site in Wrea Green, Lancashire. At the time, the 100-acre plot contained a few rundown caravans and some old cowsheds, but its potential was undeniable. Today, Ribby Hall Village, still under the ownership of the Harrison family, welcomes over a million visitors annually and has become a favourite for families, individuals, and businesses alike. The transformation of Ribby Hall Village began in 1994 with the construction of 175 cottages, 350… Read more »

Newton Drive Health Centre

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Newton Drive Health Centre in Blackpool has been a cornerstone of community healthcare since its establishment in 1950. In 1982, it merged with the Yates Street Practice, pooling resources to better serve the growing local population. In August 2011, the practice moved to a modern, purpose-built facility on Newton Drive. This new centre was designed to accommodate the needs of contemporary healthcare, featuring advanced infrastructure and spaces optimised for efficient medical care. With over 8,000 registered patients, the practice offers a comprehensive range of services, including chronic disease management, preventative care, travel vaccinations, and smoking cessation support. Specialised clinics are… Read more »

Valeo Confectionery Continues Blackpool’s Sweet Legacy

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If you’re curious why a Pontefract-based company with a presence on Vicarage Lane appears in Blackpool’s timeline, it stems from its historical connection to Clifton Road, once home to Daintee Confectionery, a renowned Blackpool company. Over time, the UK arm of Toms Confectionery acquired Daintee along with Taveners and Parrs between 1992 and 2001, eventually rebranding as Tangerine Confectionery. Tangerine itself changed ownership multiple times and, in August 2018, was acquired by Valeo Foods. By December 2019, the company’s name officially became Valeo Confectionery. In January 2006, Toms Confectionery rebranded following its purchase by a management team from Toms International… Read more »

Daintee Confectionery’s Blackpool Start

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Daintee Chocolate Confectionery Company (Blackpool) Ltd was founded by three brothers, Stanley, Fred and Roy Kitt in 1927. Its first premises were in Crystal Road, Blackpool, moving to 20/22 Lune Grove shortly afterwards. The Kitt family had been making sugar confectionery in Plymouth, London and Bridgend since the 1850s and the boys father, William Edward, had taken on the position of manager of Paige’s Mints on Henry Street in 1924 when the family moved to Blackpool. At the age of 16, Stanley had been employed as the youngest first hand sugar-boiler at Waller & Hartley sweets which was at that time on…

Frasers Comes to Blackpool

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On 22 November 2023, the highly anticipated Frasers store officially opened its doors, occupying over 100,000 square feet in Blackpool’s Houndshill Shopping Centre. This innovative retail destination unites popular brands such as Frasers, Flannels, Sports Direct, Game, and Evans Cycles, creating a vibrant shopping experience under one roof. The opening marks a major milestone in Blackpool Council’s efforts to rejuvenate the town centre. Since taking ownership of Houndshill in 2019, the council has worked tirelessly to boost the town’s recovery from the pandemic and transform the shopping centre into a cornerstone of its regeneration strategy. Part of Blackpool’s £2 billion… Read more »

Sophie Ellis-Bextor in Blackpool

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor, celebrated for her sophisticated pop sound and striking stage persona, delivered an unforgettable performance of her hit Murder on the Dancefloor at Roxy’s Nightclub in Blackpool on 17 November 2013. This exclusive event served as the after-party for the Strictly Come Dancing live broadcast, which had enchanted audiences earlier that evening from the legendary Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The glamorous venue provided the perfect stage for Ellis-Bextor’s infectious energy, as fans danced the night away to her iconic tune, adding a touch of star-studded flair to the festive atmosphere. Fast forward ten years, and Ellis-Bextor returned to Blackpool in… Read more »

Blackpool Ambulance Hub

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The new NWAS Blackpool Ambulance Hub in South Shore officially opened on Tuesday, 14 March 2023. Designed by Bluesky Architects, the state-of-the-art facility embraces a low-carbon approach aligned with the UK government’s net-zero strategy. The three-storey station hub features a double-height ‘make ready’ bay for rapid refuelling and restocking, significantly enhancing response times and operational efficiency. The facility also includes ample parking, offices, refreshment areas, training and meeting rooms, as well as locker and changing areas. In collaboration with the client and supply chain, efforts were focused on minimizing the building’s carbon footprint. This involved optimizing the envelope construction for… Read more »

Central Multi-Storey Car Park

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The new multi-storey car park opened on 17 May 2024 and is located on Seasiders Way/Chapel Street in Blackpool. It accepts cars and motorcycles and is a pay-on-foot service using your registration number, which is also required to gain access to the car park on your return.. If you are using a satnav to locate this car park, please use the postcode: FY1 5QE. Parking charges apply at all times. You can use the PayByPhone app to pay for your stay in this car park, giving you complete control from your own phone. You can download the PayByPhone app from the App Store or Google… Read more »

Booths Supermarket Started as China House

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Edwin Henry Booth (1828–1899) was a pioneering English entrepreneur who founded Booths, a family-owned supermarket chain renowned for its quality and innovation. Born in Bury, Lancashire, he was orphaned by the age of 11 and ran away from home. At just 19, Booth secured an £80 loan to open his first shop, The China House, in Blackpool in 1847. This marked the beginning of a retail legacy. By 1855, Booth had opened a second shop in Chorley, and with the relaxation of UK licensing laws, he expanded into selling wine and liquor. The added profitability enabled further expansion, leading to…

Sir Andrew Palmley Served as Lord Mayor of London

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Sir Andrew Charles Parmley, KStJ, born on 17 October 1956 in Blackpool, is a distinguished British educator, musician, and public servant. He is currently the Principal of the Harrodian School in Barnes, London, and is perhaps best known for his tenure as the Lord Mayor of London from 2016 to 2017. The third of three sons, Parmley was educated at Blackpool Grammar School, which has since become Salvation Army Citadel, is where Parmley developed an early passion for music. He began playing the organ at a young age and achieved significant early success, passing the Associate of the Royal College… Read more »