The English coastal town of Fleetwood has received a fortune from a businesswoman. Doreen Lofthouse, who was responsible for the worldwide fame of Fisherman’s Friend, has left 41.4 million pounds (48.9 million euros) to her hometown. The intention is that the money will be used for the development of the village. Lofthouse passed away in March at the age of 91.
According to the last count (2011), Fleetwood is home to about 26,000 people. The money is administered by the Lofthouse Foundation, which the family established in 1994 for the benefit of the village. The municipality called the donation “incredible” and said it was “overwhelmed by the generosity”. The money is used, among other things, to attract more tourists to the coastal town.
Doreen Lofthouse married Tony Lofthouse, grandson of the founder of Fisherman’s Friend, in 1963, the tear-watering candy in the bag with the fishing boat on it. It is known that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher took them when she had a sore throat from her speeches and French President Emmanuel Macron also swears by them.
Under Lofthouse’s leadership, the company began selling the cough drops through other stores. Until then, this was only done directly from the factory. Slowly but surely, the brand spread all over the world and the company developed into a large concern. The candies are now on sale in 120 countries and Lofthouse has annual sales of around £55 million.
‘Mother of Fleetwood’
Doreen Lofthouse was known as “the mother of Fleetwood”. Even when she was alive, she already contributed a lot to putting the village on the map. Over the past thirty years, tens of millions went to projects in the municipality. For example, the local football association received light poles and the rescue brigade a lifeboat. Lofthouse also donated various works of art to the village, including a welcome home statue for the fishing families.
“She was an extraordinary woman and a much-loved figure in the village,” Fleetwood Business Association president Margaret Daniels said on her death.
When she passed away in March, many called for a permanent memento of her. The municipality is looking at the options in consultation with the family.
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