Blackpool woman's 20 years' in business
Debra Rainford-Read has been running Pick ‘N’ Mix near Bloomfield road since February 1997 and is one of the longest serving take-away owners in town.
She started the business with friends but continued with the hot and cold foods shop when they moved on to pastures new and she now runs it with her daughter Kelsea Peach.
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Hide AdThe former Highfield pupil, whose parents owned guest houses, was given an anniversary surprise by her husband Peter and the staff when she arrived at work.
The shop sells traditional breakfasts, sandwiches and salads to go children’s specials and curries and chillies.
Peter said: “This is a good old fashioned traditional food establishment in a part of town that isn’t seen as the best, but it works for the family and for the people who live and work in the area.
“Debra has never milked it, she doesn’t open all hours and has never had a high turn-over of staff, it is just a nice local business that has been in the area for 20 years.”
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Hide AdDebra, 49, said she was delighted by the balloons surprise at the shop for the anniversary. She said: “It does not feel like it has been 20 years, time has just flown. I have loved every minute of it. I love the cooking and talking to all the customers. You end up knowing everything that is going on round here.
“There are worse places. You do see some sights, but it is quite a hub. I have watched all the kids growing up round here. I want to thank all the customers.”
She added that although she had put the business up for sale because she was looking at another venture for a while, she was now looking forward to carrying on for a few more years.