A Blackburn sandwich shop, known for its trifles, is a finalist in the Lancashire Telegraph Competition. Ten finalists are battling it out for your votes, with Flavours Sandwich Bar, in Pinewood, being one of the businesses in the running for the Lancashire Telegraph Best Sandwich Shop 2025.
Owned by mother and daughter, Lisa and Jillian Crompton, the shop has been open for 22 years, with the pair taking over just months before the pandemic hit. “It would mean a lot [to win]. We work hard, and we put a lot of time and effort into what we do,” Lisa said. “I worked here for 22 years before my mum and I bought the shop, so it would mean a lot for me personally as well.”
Flavours offers a wide variety of sandwiches, including tuna, prawn, salmon, chicken, bacon, and coronation chicken. They have also become a local favorite for jacket potatoes and breakfast sandwiches, much to the delight of the community. However, the star of the show is the homemade trifle, which customers often pre-order, indicating its popularity.
“Our trifles sell very well, we make them homemade. People call ahead to reserve them, and they really like what we offer,” Lisa stated. She emphasized their commitment to quality: “We put a lot of fillings on our sandwiches, and it is good quality stuff. People appreciate the variety and amount they get.”
Despite their success, business started on shaky ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which began just three months after they opened. Facing the challenges of being newly established, neither Lisa nor Jillian was entitled to access the furlough scheme's 80% wage support. This situation forced Lisa to seek help through Universal Credit. “At that time, it really affected us; it was not good,” she reflects.
As restrictions lifted, gatherings were still limited, hindering another side of their business: catering and buffets. However, they later saw a resurgence in patronage driven by rising housing developments, attracting more tradespeople to the shop differentials.
Lisa credits their success to a collaborative effort, noting, “It’s a big team effort,” highlighting their loyal staff and supportive community.
In addition to Flavours’ recognition, pupils at Wensley Fold CE Primary Academy in Blackburn have been actively contributing to social efforts by collecting donations for their local food bank. Headteacher Amanda Whittingham revealed, “As we approached the month of Ramadan, a time of reflection, giving, and community, we invited our school family to join us in making a real difference to the lives of families struggling in Blackburn with Darwen by donating food and toiletries for the food banks.” The students’ actions have led to multiple hampers being donated to families in need, emphasizing the spirit of community during Ramadan.
Moreover, a local landmark, The Mall in Blackburn, owned by the Adhan Group of Companies, continues to enhance the shopping experience in the area. Acquired in 2022 for £40 million by brothers Salim Patel and Mushtaq Khanjra, The Mall is one of the few shopping centers in the country owned by a local family.
Since taking over, the Adhan Group has attracted numerous brands such as Flannels, Waterstones, and Bonmarché. Upcoming openings include TJ Hughes in the former Debenhams space this March, alongside a new McDonald’s dine-in and delivery restaurant—set to be the first of its kind in the county. Salim Patel remarked, “We are bucking the national trend by attracting big brands to the town and are working with the council on wider investment plans.”
While the local high-street landscape faces challenges, the loyal investment from the Adhan brothers reflects their commitment to Blackburn, a town they still call home. “A huge amount of work has gone into our business, and that is very much down to my brother Mushtaq. Even now, he works 20-hour days; he’s involved in every negotiation and every decision made. He’s remarkable,” Salim praised his brother's dedication.
In yet another sign of transformation, Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted planning permission to convert a former mobile phone repair shop at 22 Leamington Road into two self-contained one-bedroom apartments. The move comes as a response to meeting housing needs in a predominantly residential area.
The development proposal comes with some challenges, particularly concerning on-site amenity space and off-street parking, which could not be included in the design. However, unrestricted on-street parking is available along Burlington Street and Leamington Road. The planning report noted, “The proposed creation of two self-contained flats is considered a favourable alternative and unlikely to introduce additional noise nuisances.”
As Blackburn continues to evolve, from local shops being finalists in competitions to schools supporting their communities, and businesses adapting to modern demands, the spirit of resilience and community engagement is evident.
Readers can support their local favorites: voting for the best sandwich shop, Flavours, will take place until Saturday, March 29, 2025, via paper copies of the Lancashire Telegraph. With strong community support, the significance of these local businesses cannot be overstated in the ongoing narrative of Blackburn’s growth and prosperity.
