Blackpool solicitors Blackhurst Budd are marking a significant milestone in 2026, celebrating 150 years since the Blackhurst practice first established a presence in the town in 1876.

The anniversary cements the firm’s position as one of the longest-standing legal practices in the North West, with roots that trace back to a pivotal moment in Blackpool’s own development. In the same year that the town was granted municipal borough status, William Blackhurst formally established his practice on Church Street, at a time when Blackpool’s population stood at just over 7,000.

From the expansion of the promenade and the construction of the Tower, through two World Wars and into the modern era, the firm has remained a constant presence supporting local families and businesses.

Warren Spencer, Managing Director of Blackhurst Budd, said:

“One hundred and fifty years in practice is not just a milestone for the firm, it reflects a long-standing relationship with the people and the community we serve.

We have advised generations of families at the moments that matter most, from buying their first home to planning for the future, and through some of life’s more difficult situations.

The law has changed enormously over that time, and so have we. But the need for clear, honest advice from someone who understands the local community has not changed at all. That is what has defined this firm for 150 years, and it is what will continue to define us going forward.”

The Blackhurst name has been part of Blackpool’s professional landscape since the 19th century, operating under a number of partnerships as successive generations shaped the firm.

Running alongside this history was John Budd & Co, another well-established Blackpool firm which began practice in the 20th century and developed its own strong reputation within the local community.

The modern firm was formed in 2009 through the merger of Blackhursts LLP and John Budd & Co, alongside LSC Solicitors and later Coope, Purvis and Taylor, bringing together several of the town’s most established legal practices under one name.

Today, Blackhurst Budd advises individuals and businesses across a full range of legal services, including family law, residential and commercial conveyancing, wills and probate, and commercial matters. With a large and experienced team, the firm remains one of the most recognised and trusted legal names on the Fylde Coast.

To mark the anniversary year, the firm will be launching a series of initiatives celebrating both its heritage and its place within the community, including a “Blackpool Then & Now” competition on their Facebook account inviting local residents to share photographs and stories of how the town has changed over time.

As Blackhurst Budd looks to the future, the focus remains firmly on continuing the role it has played for the past 150 years, providing trusted legal advice to the people and businesses of Blackpool.

Pictured: The current Directors at Blackhurst Budd L-R: Tom Fielding, Briony Haley, Sharon Emslie, Rose Spencer, Jenny McPhee, Warren Spencer.