Henry Banks (developer)
Henry Banks (1758 – 18 April 1847) was an English developer. He was known as the "Father of Blackpool,"[1] having been responsible for several buildings in the town.
Early life
[edit]Banks was born in Blackpool in 1758 to Edward Banks and Jane Pearson. He was their first child, and was followed by Thomas and Catherine.
Career
[edit]In 1819, he purchased the Lane Ends estate (including the Lane Ends Hotel),[2][3] on which he built Blackpool's first holiday cottages.[4] In 1837, his son-in-law, John Cocker,[5] built the town's first assembly rooms. John Cocker was the father of Blackpool's first mayor, William Cocker. William inherited Banks's land and buildings.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Banks married Margaret Bailey, with whom had two known children: Alice (who married Reverend William Thornber) and Jane (who married John Cocker).
References
[edit]- ↑ Ryan (28 August 2019). "How Was Blackpool Tower Built?". Blackpool Grand Theatre. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "10 people who deserve to be recognised with a statue". Blackpool Gazette. 7 October 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ co, Pigot James and (1828). Pigot and co.'s national commercial directory for 1828-9, comprising a directory of the merchants, bankers, professional gentleman [&c.] in the counties of Cheshire, Cumberland [&c.]. p. 433.
- ↑ Maconie, Stuart (4 September 2008). Pies and Prejudice: In search of the North. Random House. p. 259. ISBN 978-0-09-193030-1.
- ↑ Easdown, Martin (1 November 2009). Lancashire's Seaside Piers: Also Featuring the Piers of the River Mersey, Cumbria and the Isle of Man. Casemate Publishers. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-84563-093-5.
- ↑ Blackpool, Live (11 January 2026). "History of Blackpool and How it Began • explore the past with Live Blackpool". Blackpool. Retrieved 23 May 2026.