Town’s millionaire Friend dies at 91
FISHERMAN’S Friend owner Doreen Lofthouse, who left £30million to help out her home town, has died aged 91.
The philanthropist spent much of the firm’s profits improving Fleetwood, Lancs.
Her affection and loyalty for the town and its people led to some referring to her as the Mother of Fleetwood.
The iconic throat lozenges were created by her husband’s ancestor in 1865.
Mrs Lofthouse, OBE, died in BlackpoolVictoria
Hospital on Tuesday after more than 60 years at the helm of the Lancashire firm.
She and her husband Tony, who died in 2018 aged 74, turned the company into a £180million-a-year global operation.
The Lofthouse Foundation helped restore the promenade, playgrounds and part of Fleetwood’s shopping centre – now named Fisherman’sWalk.
In 2019, Doreen set aside £30million to help fund future community projects.
Town councillor Cheryl Raynor said: “She was one of those people I can’t imagine not being here. She did so much for our town.”
Shrewd
David Pearce, chairman of the Jacinta Charitable Trust, said: “Doreen had great business ability and shrewd acumen.
“The Lofthouses used money from their very successful business in an attempt to make Fleetwood a more attractive place for people who lived there and visitors.
“But by building their company they did something else very important – they created jobs in a town where work can be hard to find.”
The lozenges are now so popular that they have been given the royal seal of approval.
And even French President Emmanuel Macron has boasted of taking them.