This year, Blackhurst Budd marks 150 years since the Blackhurst practice was first established in Blackpool. It is a milestone that invites reflection, not just on the firm and the town, but on how profoundly life itself has changed since William Blackhurst first opened his doors in 1876.

So, in the spirit of the anniversary, here is a look at the world then and now.

The Price of a Home

Construction of Blackpool Tower c. 1892

In 1876, the average price of a terraced house in a northern town like Blackpool was in the region of £80 to £150. Today, the average house price in Blackpool sits at around £160,000, meaning property is roughly 1,000 to 2,000 times more expensive in cash terms than it was when William Blackhurst was first advising his clients on their conveyancing.

Of course, wages have risen too. But for anyone who has recently gone through the house buying process, the comparison is a useful reminder that it has never been straightforward. Fortunately, some things have not changed, including the value of having a good solicitor in your corner.

Getting Around

In 1876, the railway had already transformed travel in Britain, and Blackpool was well connected by train. But for most people, day to day movement meant walking or, if you were fortunate, a horse and carriage. The motor car was still a decade away. The tram network that would become synonymous with Blackpool's promenade would not arrive until 1885. And the idea of travelling from Blackpool to London in just over two hours, as is possible today, would have seemed remarkable.

A Week's Wages

In 1876, a skilled tradesman might expect to earn around 30 to 35 shillings per week, roughly £1.50 in today's currency, though the purchasing power was considerably greater. An unskilled labourer would earn significantly less. Today, the UK national living wage for a full time worker equates to roughly £23,000 per year. The nature of work has changed just as dramatically as the numbers: in 1876, the majority of Blackpool's working population was employed in trades, domestic service, or the emerging tourism industry.

Daily Life

In 1876, there was no electricity in the home. No running hot water as standard. No telephone, no television, no internet. News travelled by newspaper, and even that arrived a day late in many parts of the country. Life expectancy at birth in England in the 1870s was approximately 41 years, a figure shaped significantly by high infant mortality rather than people simply dying young, but stark nonetheless when compared to today's average of around 81 years.

By contrast, in 2026, most of us carry a device in our pocket that provides instant access to almost all of human knowledge, connects us to people anywhere in the world, and increasingly helps us draft our own legal documents. Whether that last point is entirely to be welcomed is perhaps a separate question.

The Legal Profession

In 1876, solicitors occupied a very different role in public life. Legal services were largely inaccessible to ordinary working people, something reserved for those with property, means, or a pressing dispute that could not be avoided. The idea of a solicitor helping a first time buyer through a straightforward residential purchase, or a family planning ahead with a will, was not yet the norm.

Today, Blackhurst Budd advises clients from all walks of life, across a full range of legal matters. The profession has opened up considerably, and access to clear, practical legal advice is something far more people are able to benefit from than would have been the case when William Blackhurst first set up his practice on Church Street.

One Thing That Has Not Changed

Blackpool itself has changed beyond all recognition since 1876, from a small borough of 7,000 people to the vibrant coastal town it is today, with all the history, character, and community that 150 years of growth brings. But through all of it, the Blackhurst name has been part of the story.

As we mark our 150th anniversary in 2026, we do so with genuine pride in that connection, and with every intention of still being here for whatever the next 150 years brings.

Blackhurst Budd is celebrating 150 years of legal services in Blackpool in 2026.