From the bread on our breakfast tables to the trucks on Britain's roads, Lancashire's manufacturing heritage can be found in almost every corner of everyday life.
The county has produced pioneering businesses, household names and internationally recognised products. Some have remained in the hands of the families who founded them, while others have become part of multinational companies. And although the factories, owners and products may have changed over the decades, their Lancashire connections remain an important part of their histories.
In Part 1 of our celebration of famous Lancashire brands, we explored the stories behind some of the county's best-loved food and drink names. Here, we broaden our horizons to include engineering, sportswear, paints and household products, alongside more familiar names from the food industry, and discover how Lancashire businesses have made their mark around the world.
1. Singleton’s Dairy
Preston Covered Market 1934. Grandmother Duillia Singleton and Great Grandparents Robert and Duillia Singleton of Singleton's Dairy, Longridge. Singleton’s Dairy was established in 1934 by Robert and Duillia Singleton, building upon a family cheesemaking tradition dating back to the eighteenth century. Duillia, widely known as Grandma Singleton, developed the business using traditional Lancashire cheesemaking techniques. What began as a relatively small operation grew into a significant producer of artisan cheese, based in Longridge. The company developed an international market, exporting its cheeses to more than 30 countries. However, the original family business entered administration in August 2022, with the loss of dozens of jobs. In December that year, fellow Lancashire cheesemaker Carron Lodge acquired its premises and brands, including Grandma Singleton’s. Production of that cheese was subsequently transferred to Carron Lodge’s Inglewhite farm, while the former Longridge dairy was developed for soft-cheese production | Contributed
2. Singleton’s Dairy
The Queen tours Singleton's Dairy, Longridge with owners Bill Riding and Tilly Carefoot in 2008 | Staff
3. Singleton’s Dairy
Tilly Carefoot, owner of Singleton's Dairy in Longridge near Preston, and sales manager John Carr. The company has won the Queen's Award for Export | Staff
4. Singleton’s Dairy
Tilly Carefoot and her brother Bill Riding of Singleton's Dairy, Longridge, with their award winning Grandma Singleton's strong cheese in 1996 | Staff