Our History
Serving Blackpool since 1876
Blackhurst Budd’s history is firmly rooted in Blackpool.
In 1876, William Blackhurst established his legal practice in the town, marking the beginning of a continuous presence spanning 150 years. At that time, Blackpool was undergoing rapid transformation, evolving into one of the country’s most prominent seaside destinations.
From the outset, the firm played a role in that growth, advising individuals, families and businesses as the town developed.
Growing with the town
Through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Blackhurst practice expanded alongside Blackpool itself.
The firm operated from a number of locations across the town, including Church Street, Lytham Street and Town Hall Street, before establishing a long-standing base on Edward Street, where it remains today.
As the practice developed, it evolved through successive partnerships and generations of lawyers. The Blackhurst name continued under a number of forms, including:
• Blackhurst & Fretson
• W & A Blackhurst
• Blackhurst Parker & Co
• Blackhurst Parker & Yates
These changes reflected the firm’s growth and its expanding reach across the Fylde Coast and surrounding areas, including Preston, Garstang, Lancaster, Lytham St Annes and Poulton-le-Fylde.
Throughout this period, the firm remained focused on providing practical, reliable legal advice to the local community.
A firm shaped by its people
The history of Blackhurst Budd is defined not only by its longevity, but by the people who have shaped it.
From its earliest days, the firm has been closely connected to professional and public life in the region. Members of the practice have held positions of responsibility within the local community, including roles linked to the Coroner’s Office, reflecting a longstanding involvement in the administration of justice in Blackpool.
John Budd & Co
Running alongside the Blackhurst practice was another well-established Blackpool firm.
John Budd & Co was founded in the twentieth century and developed a strong reputation advising local families and businesses. Over time, it became a trusted name within the town and an integral part of Blackpool’s professional landscape.
For many years, the two firms operated independently, each building its own client base and reputation.
Coming together
In 2009, a significant moment in the firm’s history took place.
Blackhursts merged with John Budd & Co, Lawsons Samuels Capaldi and Coope Purvis and Taylor to form Blackhurst Budd, bringing together several of Blackpool’s most established legal practices. The firm was further strengthened in 2010 through a merger with Shaw Davenport & Wardle.
This marked the culmination of decades of development across multiple firms, combining longstanding client relationships, deep local knowledge and a broad range of legal expertise into a single modern practice.
Blackhurst Budd today
Today, Blackhurst Budd operates as a modern, full-service law firm advising individuals and businesses across a wide range of legal disciplines, including:
• Family law
• Residential and commercial conveyancing
• Wills, trusts and probate
• Commercial and business matters
While the legal landscape has changed significantly over the past 150 years, the firm’s approach remains consistent: providing clear, practical advice and building strong, long-term client relationships.
Looking forward
Blackhurst Budd continues to evolve, combining its heritage with a forward-looking approach to legal services. The firm remains committed to supporting the people and businesses of Blackpool and the Fylde Coast for generations to come.