Martin Vallance
Businessman and landowner
MARTIN VALLANCE, who has died at 85, was a well-known environmental steward who in his earlier career lent his name to one of the most enduring brands on Yorkshire’s high streets – a chain of 40-plus electrical shops that were as well-known as Currys is today.
The business was originally founded by Martin’s father, Alec Vallance, in 1936, as a musical instrument and record store in Scunthorpe. Always ahead of its time, the original Vallances offered a coffee shop service so customers could sit and listen to music before buying.
Martin Braddon Vallance was born in Scunthorpe and the family moved to Leeds when he was young. He was educated at Cressbrook House, Sedbergh, and then at Thornton Grammar, after which, at just 21, he stepped in to lead the management of Vallances.
Under his charge, the business went from strength to strength, broadening its offering to a wide range of household appliances, sold from shops in city centres and large out-of-town superstores.
Martin was a hands-on manager, visiting stores and travelling to Japan to source the latest products. He also became the chain’s public face in a series of TV commercials in which shoppers were implored to “ask for Martin” if they were not completely satisfied.
In 1987, the business was sold to Thorn EMI, and Martin and his wife Pip set out on a series of round-the-world adventures, often skiing and walking in Europe.
Retirement afforded him time to focus even more on his passion for countryside management and shooting. He had acquired a small moor in Coverdale, and his ambition was to turn the overgrazed land into a thriving habitat where red grouse could flourish and on which sustainable shooting on Arkleside Moor would be possible once again.
He set about learning everything he could about grouse habitat and moorland restoration, taking advice from the Moorland Association and working in cooperation with farmers in the area. In 2003, his second prize in the Purdey Awards, which promote environmental stewardship, was a recognition of the work he and his keeper, Karl Alderson, had done to create diversity of birdlife on the moor, which had become home to curlew, lapwings and the golden plover.
At the same time, Martin’s focus on the quality and quantity of breeding stock meant that record bags were achieved annually for 20 years. The good shooting was accentuated by good company, great chat and a magnificent lunch, provided by Pip, who had been an integral part of the effort to regenerate Arkleside Moor, and who loved to work her dogs during shooting days.
A love of all things outdoors also led Martin to join the local cricket team in Blubberhouses when he and Pip moved to Beckwithshaw in 1983. The moor, meanwhile, was finally sold when he turned 80.
He had three children from his first marriage, his eldest son having predeceased him last year. He is survived by a stepson and daughter from his second marriage to Pip, and by 12 grandchildren.