Almost 70 years ago, Teresa Abraitis – a mum-of-three – decided to up sticks from her home in Wigan, Lancashire, and head for the Fylde coast.
Her husband Vincent was suffering from the dreadful effects of working as a driller in coal mines and from being a prisoner of Stalag XVIII-A – the notorious prisoner of war camp – where he escaped many times, only to be captured again and placed in solitary confinement.
They were advised by doctors to move to the seaside for the fresh air or face the prospect of Vincent only having a few years left to live.
Teresa bought a small boarding house, with five rooms, above the Co-op in Topping Street, Blackpool, but feared that, with a foreign sounding name, she would struggle to attract guests to stay. So, for the benefit of her business and the security of her family, she anglicised her name and the Bates Boarding House was born.
It expanded and developed into larger premises in High Street, Blackpool, and gained a loyal and returning clientele.
In tribute to that lady, my nan, and the tough decisions she had to take for her business and family, it seemed fitting to complete the circle and name the business in honour of her and restore the family name…… Abraitis and Co was born.