B&M Bargains – Started in Cleveleys!

Got to admit I’m a frequent flier in my local store! Did you know that B&M Bargains started in Cleveleys?

B&M Bargains – Started in Cleveleys!

From its humble beginnings as a single store to its current status as a nationwide phenomenon, we delve into the story of B&M Bargains and the amazing deals and hidden gems that you can find at this iconic location.

Join us as we navigate through the aisles and shelves of B&M Bargains Cleveleys and discover the unbeatable bargains that have made this store a household name. From home decor to groceries, toys, and much more, this store has everything you need at prices that won’t break the bank.

So if you’re a fan of shopping or just curious about the history of one of the UK’s most successful retail stores, join us as we take you on a tour of B&M Bargains Cleveleys – the first-ever B&M store in the country!

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Look around B&M Bargains – Started in Cleveleys!

In this video, we take you on a journey through history as we explore the first-ever B&M Bargains store in Cleveleys, UK.

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Some of your comments on the video:

“In the 60’s it was “Derby Market”, a common phrase around here then. A collection of interconnected sheds with stalls. Every week we’d trace a path through this maze. What did we buy? Shoes, coats, material to make sheets and pillow cases out of, moquette for upholstery.” xxqq

“I was very young and remember the original B&M site. I remember queuing up in the alleyway to get in sometimes – it used to get so full they couldn’t let more in until some people had left. There’s a photo of the alleyway (road) and the garages they had stock in on Facebook :-)” Mrs Funshine

“Used to love going to B&M in Cleveleys before others opened. Always went home ladened with stuff.” Irene Milligan

“I remember Charnley’s garage, they had an old Penny Farthing in the window for years. The original B&M used to sell loads of stuff, I remember they did a canned stew me and my friend lived off in the school holidays” SaltusMaximus

Beginnings of B&M Cleveleys

What’s now a B&M shoppers car park adjoining Derby Road car park was once the site of a warren of sheds containing all kinds of market stalls. It was known as Cleveleys Supermarket (The Bargain Store) and is the stuff of local legend!

Eventually times moved on and Cleveleys Supermarket was taken over by B&M and eventually moved to Princess Rd.

Kimberworth Garage was once at Princess Road, selling Singer cars. That was later to become Charnley’s Garage – a Rover dealers.

B&M’s Growth & Connection with the Fylde Coast

The B&M chain was originally called Billington and Mayman after founders Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman and their first store opened in Cleveleys in 1978. But it was soon renamed B&M – which stands for Bargain Madness. Malcolm remained a company director until October 1996.

Brothers Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora from Phildrew Investments acquired the business in December 2004 when there were just 20 stores. They transformed the business – and by 2016 were worth a combined £1.92 billion!

For many years their warehouses were based at Squires Gate Industrial Estate. Built in 1965, those warehouses were occupied until 2011 by B&M. They moved into new offices and a modern 620,000 sq ft distribution centre in Speke, Liverpool on 10 September 2010. With the distribution centre closed, Blackpool became overflow warehousing.

June 2014 saw the company being floated on the stock market – and since then it’s growth has continued and it now has more than 700 stores in the UK and France.

In July 2017 B&M bought the frozen food chain Heron Foods – and there’s one of those in Cleveleys too!