130-year-old accountancy firm John Potter & Harrison in Blackpool and Lytham join accountancy group Streets

One of Blackpool’s longest-established firms is beginning a new chapter in its history after joining Streets, a UK top 40 accountancy and advisory practice.

John Potter & Harrison was founded in 1892 by former Mayor of Blackpool John Potter and has been part of the town’s business community for more than 130 years.

Today, the practice operates from offices on Whitegate Drive in Blackpool and it also has an office in Lytham. Its 10-strong team supports professional services firms, local businesses, sole traders and individuals across the Fylde coast and beyond.

The firm’s connection to the area is also reflected in the career of its Senior Partner, Ian Riding, a Blackpool FC fan who has lived in the area for most of his life. He joined the firm in 1984, becoming a partner two years later at the age of 28, when a former partner retired.

Over the past 40 years the firm has thrived, servicing clients from both its Blackpool and Lytham offices, with the addition of clients and staff acquired from another local practice in 2012.

Ian said: “Joining Streets is the next chapter in a story that began more than 130 years ago. We wanted to find a firm that understood the importance of our heritage and shared our commitment to looking after clients personally.

“Although accountancy and the needs of businesses have changed considerably over the years, the importance of personal service and trusted relationships has remained constant. Many of our clients have worked with the practice for a long time, and continuity of care has always been extremely important to us.

“Streets combines the resources and expertise of a national practice with locally led offices. This gives us the opportunity to build on everything that has made John Potter & Harrison successful while creating new opportunities for our clients and our team.

“We are very much looking forward to the future and to continuing the success of the practice as part of Streets.”

The business is also headed up by Partners Jackie Daniels and Alister Miller, who both chose to return to their hometown to build their careers.

Jackie said: “John Potter & Harrison has a very special history, and we are proud to have played our part in caring for the practice and its clients.

“Both Alister and I wanted to return to our hometown and build our careers here. We care deeply about Blackpool, the Fylde Coast and the businesses and individuals who make this such a strong community.”

Joining Streets will enable John Potter & Harrison to retain its local identity, offices and relationships while giving clients access to a wider range of specialist accountancy, tax and business advisory services.

Paul Tutin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Streets, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ian, Jackie, Alister and the entire John Potter & Harrison team to Streets.

“The practice has a remarkable heritage and has remained a trusted part of Blackpool’s professional community for generations. That reputation has been built through a genuine commitment to clients, the local area and the personal relationships that Ian, Jackie, Alister and their team have nurtured.

“We look forward to supporting the practice as it builds on this rich history, develops its services and continues to serve clients across Blackpool, Lytham and the wider Fylde Coast.”

The John Potter & Harrison team will continue to serve clients from its existing offices, providing the familiar personal service clients value, supported by Streets’ wider national network and specialist expertise.