IT’S turned out nice again for the former Warrington home of legendary entertainer George Formby.
Hillcrest House, in Walton Road, Stockton Heath, where ukulele playing George once lived with his dad – also an entertainer – has been refurbished and has become a small business centre run by Warrington-based Purple Accounts.
The house was the Formby family home from 1917 and it was from there that George launched his show business career. It had a brief existence as a boutique hotel, which opened in 2013, when it was also recognised with a blue plaque.
Now it has been comprehensively and sympathetically refurbished by the owner but is still filled with iconic images of Formby, who was at one time credited with being the highest-paid star in UK show business.
There’s even a replica of the “No 14” motorbike that Formby rode in his 1939 movie “No Limits” based on the TT races in the Isle of Man – where, coincidentally, the first Purple Accounts office opened in 2007.
The new small business centre based at George Formby’s House was officially opened by Warrington South MP Andy Carter, pictured with the Purple Accounts team next to the black traditional lamp post “for leaning on.”
Mr Carter said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy, it’s fantastic to meet the team at Purple Accounts and to hear about their own growth story. Their commitment to helping other business in Warrington to grow is something I really applaud – their approach offering broad business advice alongside support with specialist accounting know how is something many businesses will welcome.”
Purple Accounts is a family-run business and has been in Stockton Heath for eight years, with satellite branches in Grappenhall, Padgate and Lymm. The first branch was opened in 2007 in the Isle of Man by David and Helen Parker.
The Purple Accounts small business centre helps small businesses with compliance services such as accounts, tax, book-keeping and payroll. But it has started to fill the gap high street banks have left in terms of advice and support to grow and access funding. As Certified Funding Advisors, the team has access to more than 100 lenders for small businesses.
During the pandemic, the team also helped customers with furlough claims and loan applications without charge, just so they could help fellow local businesses. They continue to help small businesses apply for schemes such as the Recovery Loan Scheme and other funding to help maximise small businesses recovery, success and growth.
Managing director David Parker said: “We are privileged to be able to work from this wonderful building with such history as Hillcrest House. It’s quite unique and a talking point for customers who walk into the entrance and see a vintage motorbike in the hall. Our new office home will help us to help local businesses for many years to come. The whole team is delighted with it”
