Legendary antiques dealer and Lancaster Leisure Park boss dies, aged 75

Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:24

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

A legendary antiques expert and long-time owner of one of Lancaster's biggest attractions has died, aged 75.

Allan Blackburn was the founder and owner of GB Antiques at Lancaster Leisure Park and also ran the park itself for many years.

Allan was a well-known antiques dealer, broadcaster and writer who appeared regularly on TV and radio, and in newspapers.

He died on Saturday at the Royal Preston Hospital after a short illness.

Born in Clitheroe in 1947, Allan’s middle name was Baird, after his famous great uncle, television pioneer John Logie Baird.

Inspired by his paternal grandfather Thomas Blackburn’s love for antiques, the young Allan treasured their trips to shops and fairs together.

Joining the family firm started by Thomas, producing Lloyd Loom conservatory-style furniture, Allan worked at Somic in Preston for 25 years, becoming joint Managing Director.

Marrying his beloved and devoted wife Gloria in 1971, Allan’s antiques-hunting trips became family affairs, soon joined by their three children.

In 1990, with Gloria’s support, Allan took the gamble of leaving his job and opening GB Antiques on the vacated Hornsea Pottery site on Wyresdale Road in Lancaster.

Named after Gloria, what started as a Sunday antiques market is now a seven days a week 40,000 plus square feet antiques centre welcoming over 200,000 visitors a year.

In 1998 Allan acquired the lease and investment for the surrounding Lancaster Leisure Park. The development was the largest Lancaster had seen at the time.

Creating retail, restaurant, and leisure facilities, plus housing and employment, his legacy is a much-loved resource for local people and visitors.

Knowledgeable and approachable with casual visitors and experts alike, Allan was the perfect host for topical TV programmes including Antiques Road Trip and Salvage Hunters (Allan is pictured below with presenters Tee and Drew Pritchard, and Allan's son Jimmy).

Also popular are his antique and collectable columns in the Lancaster Guardian, Lancashire Post, Blackpool Evening Gazette and Morecambe Visitor, as well as a regular Monday afternoon antiques and valuation feature on Radio Lancashire.

Allan became a worldwide media celebrity in 2003 when an escaped bull went on the rampage inside the centre, an event commemorated by the life-size fibreglass bull commissioned by Allan which stands proudly on the roof, over its entrance.

A lover of hockey, golf and horse racing, Allan played in over 1,000 games for Preston Hockey Club before moving into coaching.

In his final season he played alongside his son in the first team.

He also managed the Lancashire Men’s Hockey Team when they won the County Championships for the UK.

He was on the technical hockey committee organising several international games and a supervisory steward for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

A devoted dad to Jimmy, Dawn and Mel, he held the position of Chairman of Governors at both Scotforth House School and Kirkham Grammar School.

Jimmy and Dawn both followed their father into the family business and will be continuing his legacy both in the centre and across the site. Jimmy (pictured below with Allan) will also continue the collectables column in the newspapers.

"Dad had us going to antique fairs before we could walk!" said Jimmy.

"While he was the ‘face’ of GB Antiques, it’s a real family business, and lots of our loyal team have been with us for many years too. It’s a sad time for everyone, but having people coming into the centre and sharing their stories and regard for him is very moving.

"We only persuaded dad to ‘retire’ a couple of weeks ago - I was honoured he asked me to take over his antiques column, so he could enjoy more well-deserved time with mum. His spirit definitely remains in the centre, where we will continue with everything we were planning together, and, I hope, continue to make him proud."

Allan is survived by his wife Gloria, children Jimmy, Dawn and Melanie, and grandchildren Bethany, Jamie and Lucy.

Thank you to Kate Bowyer for this tribute to Allan.