Fisherman's Friend tycoon Doreen Lofthouse dies aged 91

Created by Fleetwood pharmacist James Lofthouse back in 1865, Doreen transformed the lozenge into a global brand in 1963.

Fisherman’s Friend now produces over five billion lozenges annually, and is sold in over 100 countries around the world.

Thanks to her entrepreneurial skills and her husband Tony Lofthouse, who died at the age of 74 in 2018, Doreen turned the once small business into a £180m empire.

In recognition of the global success, Fisherman's Friend has received the Queen's Award to Industry for Export Achievement three times.

But it isn't just the business that Doreen was honoured for; she received both an OBE, MBE and was made Freeman of the Borough of Wyre for her charity work.

In 1994, Doreen and her family set up 'The Lofthouse Foundation' to help refurbish the local area.

This included Fleetwood Hospital, a children's playground, improvements to the promenade and part of Fleetwood's shopping centre - now named Fisherman's Walk.

In January 2015, Doreen also donated £1m to kickstart the restoration work at the Mount pavilion in Fleetwood

The project saw key renovations to the Mount pavilion, the gardens, and railings.

Four years later, in 2019, Doreen and her family set aside another whopping £30m to help fund community projects in the town.

Coun Mary Stirzaker, chairman of Fleetwood Town Council, said: "Mrs Lofthouse's legacy will live on in Fleetwood.

"She was an incredible benefactor for Fleetwood and was always proud of the town she came from."

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