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The
History of Clarke Broome & Fleming
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| Clarke
Broome & Fleming has been providing first class accountancy
services to the Fylde Coast and Blackpool business community
since 1931 and will be celebrating its 75th birthday in
2006 a landmark that will truly illustrate the long and
esteemed history that the practice has enjoyed. That
history began with the firm's foundation, in Leopold Grove,
Blackpool, where the original founder, Mr Percy V Clarke,
established the business above the retail premises of
Ernest Flower, a gentleman's outfitter. This proved to
be an excellent move, in more ways than one, as Ernest
Flower later became a prominent client of the practice.
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The firm continued to flourish during the hard days of the
Second World War and the dawn of peace brought about changes
within the business. Released from military duty, Percy's
son, Ralph, and another professional, J Bernard Broome,
joined the practice which, due to its enlargement, sought
new accommodation above the offices of John Budd & Co.
Solicitors, in South King Street, Blackpool.
This
move proved to be extremely timely for the practice that
was now known as P.V. Clarke, Son & Broome. At this
time, it took advantage of its prime town centre location
to forge many close links with some of the businesses
that it still retains on its books today, even if the
faces behind those businesses may have changed and ownership
passed to a second generation of entrepreneurs.
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The
1960s and 70s
The next major development occurred in 1964 when Arthur
Fleming, a Scot who had undertaken his national service
at a local RAF base, made the bold move to stay South of
the Border and join the practice as a partner. At this point,
the firm changed its name to P.V.Clarke, Broome & Fleming,
to recognise the addition of the Scottish Chartered Accountant,
who was brought in to replace Mr Percy Clarke, who was planning
to retire one year later. It also packed its files once
more and made a move to Cookson Street.
Ralph Clarke had already taken something of a side-step
away from the practice some seven years earlier, when he
had become Managing Director of J.W.Stringer Ltd, a local
department store, based in Lytham St Annes, which had been
acquired by the Clarke family and various clients of the
practice. On this basis, the name change made perfect sense
and the firm continued to thrive under the new arrangements,
to the extent that an increased size dictated another move,
in 1975, into the Church Street offices that it still occupies
today.
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One
of those making that last move was Mr Martin V. Clarke,
who had joined the firm established by his grandfather back
in 1971. He also followed in his grandfather's footsteps
by studying for the same Association educational structure,
which stood him in good stead, with Martin gaining qualification
in 1980 and a partnership in 1982.
The 1980s to the present day
1990 saw the retirement of J. Bernard Broome, at which point
his interest in the firm was bought out by the remaining
partners. The revised partnership embarked on another challenge,
entering a new era which witnessed the introduction of audit
regulations and the need to satisfy the standards set by
the ACCA, the firm's governing body. If that was not enough,
the methods of dealing with accounts workloads were also
evolving, 1991 bringing the introduction of the first computer
as well as the introduction of payroll services and accounts
production software. |
In
1996, Martin Clarke bought the interest of Arthur Fleming
and of Lew Dean, a local fellow Certified Accountant who
wished to retire. Both Arthur and Lew continued to work
in the practice whilst Martin re-built the infrastructure
that would accommodate their retirements, as well as catering
for the 1996 introduction of self-assessment for UK tax
payers.
Clarke
Broome & Fleming now operates with two Managers overseeing
day-to-day operations and supporting Martin Clarke as
the owner, Tony Rawcliffe handles the requirements of
small businesses and individual tax clients, whilst Peter
Rees deals with the larger, corporate clients, with computerised
systems, who require Management accounts.
As
Clarke Broome & Fleming moves forward, it is ever
mindful of its roots and the focus on quality that has
traditionally underpinned all of its operations. This
long-established high street practice has built a reputation
for honesty, integrity and excellent customer service,
with these factors allowing it to retain a client base
that has grown and evolved, in many cases, alongside the
practice.
Despite
this heritage, however, the practice is ever mindful of
the need to innovate and stay abreast of the latest developments
within the world of accountancy. With this combination,
the firm will continue to serve the needs of the local
community, in which it has evolved, in a first-class manner.
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Clarke Broome & Fleming, Chartered Certified Accountants,
223 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire. FY1 3PB
Telephone
01253 621178
Facsimile 01253 752348
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REGISTERED
AS AUDITORS AND REGULATED FOR A RANGE OF INVESTMENTS BUSINESS
ACTIVITIES BY THE ASSOCIATION OF CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS |
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