Creative Outlooks - Booths Supermarket - Business Made Brilliant

Creative Outlooks - Booths Supermarket - Business Made Brilliant

Jul, 21 2025


Going to the supermarket and buying the weekly shop is taken for granted in the modern era. But how often have you looked at the name of a supermarket and considered it’s depth of origin? Booths-is the focus for this month’s ‘Creative Outlooks’.

To introduce this blog we have none other than Edwin Booth discussing the powerful impact Booths has had in the community –  

As Edwin mentioned it was his grandfather that got the entire ball rolling on the Booths empire. It was the summer of 1847 when tea dealer Edwin Henry Booth secured a loan of £80 to open his first shop, The China House in Blackpool. Despite only being 19, he had an automatic skill in the business world which gave him the confidence to repay the debt just three months later making a profit of £50.

As time progressed Edwin got smarter with business and knew instinctively what would sell well. Thanks to changes in UK licensing laws he introduced wine and liquor to the range. Three more locations were added to the estate –

  • Preston – 1867
  • Lytham – 1878
  • Blackburn – 1884

In 1899, Edwin’s eldest son John Booth came forward as the main driver behind the Booths enterprise. A few years later John developed the size of the superstore and incorporated cafes as a way for customers to relax after their shop.

When the world was under siege due to the conflict during the war years, people found refuge in Booths. It reached a peak at a time of distress and potential famine yet the ensuing inter-war years saw one of the fastest expansion periods in the company’s history, opening 8 new shops in twelve years.

Over a thirty year period Booths underwent a complete transformation. It experienced a tremendous redevelopment programme which included refurbishing cafes and relocating smaller shops. In 1962, the first of Booths shops were converted to self-service whilst still retaining a high degree of personal customer service.

By 1970, John Booth took over as a chairman from his late father, supported by his brother, Michael Booth. This allowed further help within the family unit.

  The next 55 years saw substantial growth for Booths. Since its early incarnation as a small shop it has grown into a household name many people regularly shop in and find time to relax in the café. Current chairman Edwin J Booth reached that position in 1997 and is kindly supported by his younger brother Graham.

In 2005, Booths reached new shores reaching the quaint town of Longridge. This helped facilitate the manufacture and wholesaling of Booths own label range which in turn has been recognised nationally for its superior taste and quality.

The Fulwood branch in Preston is a popular store with a vibrant café and a wide range of appealing food and drink. The opening store times are listed below – https://www.booths.co.uk/store/preston-fulwood/

Mr. Edwin is not afraid to admit to several accreditations to his name which has given him the confidence to go forward as a trailblazer and true ambassador for Booths supermarkets up and down the Lancashire region.

Here is a statement from the Booth family –

“We continue to be committed to offering customers a warm Northern welcome and a friendly service, working closely with our suppliers to form strong and lasting relationships and ensuring the sustainability of British agriculture and the environment for future generations.”

Booths is more than a supermarket. It has a family history dating back almost two centuries and is a beloved central point for many people. It delivers and caters for the public on many levels and never fails to appeal to the generations of Lancashire that reflect the heritage of its success.

^Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger