'Proud of where we come from' - Blackpool-founded Booths supermarket marks 179 years serving community

A Fylde coast business is marking 179 years as an integral part of the community and a champion of Lancashire produce.

Booths was founded in June 1847 when 19-year-old Edwin Henry Booth opened his first shop, The China House, in Blackpool.

His flair for business and advertising allowed him to repay the debt just three months later, making a profit of £50. He continued to capitalise on this earlier success by opening a second, larger shop in 1855 in the market town of Chorley.

By 1863, Edwin had developed a keen application and admiration for the quality of his goods. And, thanks to the changes in UK licensing laws, Booths added wine and liquor to their range. Three more locations were added to the estate in the following years, Preston in 1867, Lytham in 1878 and Blackburn in 1884.

His founding philosophy was: “Sell the best goods available, in attractive stores, staffed with first class assistants.”

Today Booths remains true to those values, is still owned by the Booths family, and has 25 stores located throughout the North of England, including those in Poulton, Lytham, St Annes and Garstang.

Emma Booth is the sixth generation of her family to join the business, and says the businesses’s Lancashire roots are “hugely important”.

She said: “Booths has grown and evolved considerably over the generations, but that sense of place, heritage and community has remained at the heart of the business.

Speaking in her role as Chief Brand Officer, she said: “We’re very proud of where we come from.

“Lancashire has shaped our values and our approach to business, from the importance we place on service and quality food to the relationships we build with our suppliers, colleagues and customers. Celebrating those roots isn’t simply about looking back at our history; it’s about making sure those values continue to influence how we do business today and in the future.”

In recent years, Booths has expanded across the North of England, with shops across Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and Yorkshire - something it refers to as ‘Booths Country’, with a commitment to supporting local producers.

Emma said: “Working closely with local and regional suppliers isn’t a recent initiative for Booths, it has been part of the way we operate for generations. Our relationships with producers are one of the things that make Booths distinctive.

“Being based in the North puts us within reach of some exceptional farmers, growers, makers and food producers. Wherever we can, we want to champion that talent and give our customers the opportunity to discover great food made closer to home. However, supporting local businesses also has a much wider benefit as it helps sustain jobs, skills and investment within our communities and contributes to a thriving regional economy.”

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Although the company has spread across the North, Emma is clear that Lancashire is the company’s heartland.

She said: “Lancashire will always be home for Booths, and there is something very special about the county. It has an extraordinary food and farming heritage, wonderful producers and a strong sense of community and identity.

“There’s also a straightforwardness and warmth to Lancashire that we recognise in our own values. People care about where things come from, they value quality and they appreciate good service. We’ve been part of Lancashire life for generations and we’re immensely proud of that connection.”

Booths currently employs 2,952 colleagues, 1,987 of whom live in Lancashire—representing 67.3 per cent of its total workforce. Those colleagues make an enormous contribution to the character and success of the business. Its production, warehouse and distribution operation is based at Longridge, near Preston.

Emma said: “There’s a warmth and down-to-earth character that comes through very strongly in our Lancashire teams. Our colleagues genuinely care about their customers and communities, and that personal connection is incredibly important to Booths.”

She said it feels “incredibly special” to be part of a long-standing family business, and it is not taken for granted.

She said: “Remaining an independent, family-owned business gives Booths a strong sense of continuity and allows us to think about the long term. Generations of the Booth family have been custodians of the business, and there is a real responsibility that comes with that. We want to preserve what makes Booths distinctive while continuing to develop and respond to what our customers want.”

Being part of a community brings responsibilities as well as opportunities, and Booths believes strongly in playing an active role where their customers and employees love. That has meant supporting charities and community organisations, fundraising, helping local causes or simply using their presence to bring people together. Emma said: “We’ve been fortunate to enjoy the support and loyalty of communities across Lancashire and the wider North for many years, and giving something back is an important part of that relationship.”

In the past year, more than £780,000 has been raised by Booths - through customer donations at the till, community events, supplier partnerships, product collaborations and in-store campaigns. The annual total includes more than £400,000 donated by customers through the Pennies micro-donation scheme. This takes the amount raised through Booths’ Pennies partnership to more than £1.25 million since its launch in 2023.

And so after 179 years, what does the future hold for Booths?

“Our focus is on making sure Booths remains distinctive, relevant and successful for generations to come”, said Emma. “That means continuing to invest in our stores, our people and our relationships with suppliers, while maintaining the quality, service and sense of place that customers expect from us.

“Retail continues to change, as do customers’ expectations, so we have to keep evolving. But growth and change shouldn’t mean losing sight of what makes Booths special. Our ambition is to take the best of our heritage forward; remaining independent, championing great food and drink, supporting the North and offering customers something genuinely different.”