Through The Decades
Graham & Brown

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

1946

Haygarth Street, Blackburn, Lancashire.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

1947

THE FIRST SURFACE PRINT MACHINE IS INSTALLED AT INDIA MILL

1948

The family feel of the business is nurtured with team trips to the Lake District and Christmas parties.

MR GRAHAM AND BROWN THEMSELVES

THE GRAHAM & BROWN CULTURE IS ESTABLISHED

1950

CONTINUED GROWTH

GROWTH BRINGS ABOUT FURTHER INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND BRAND

HAROLD SADLY PASSES AWAY

1958

HELLO ROGER GRAHAM

HAROLDS SON ROGER JOINS THE BUSINESS

1959

HELLO DAVID BROWN

HENRY'S SON DAVID JOINS THE BUSINESS

TWO GENERATIONS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

With two generations now at the helm, Graham & Brown enters the new decade stronger than ever

1960

The big debut

The first advert was produced featuring our Graham & Brown girl

1963

Expanding

The acquisition of Plantation Mill, Blackburn

1960s winding machines

1967

Expanding some more!

The acquistion of Daisyfield Mill, Blackburn

1968

Advertising Campaigns

1970

Growth in Europe

Began exporting to Europe

1972

Barbara Castle MP

A visit from Barbara Castle MP

More advertising

1974

Boardroom Preserved

The original board room from Haygarth Street is preserved and moved to India Mill

Rebuild of India Mill

Rebuild of India Mill begins in a year that establishes Graham & Brown as one of the largest independent wallpaper manufacturers in Britain

1975

John Carter

Henry Brown's grandson John Carter joins the business

1978

A Royal Invitation

Henry Brown is invited to the Queen's garden party for services to the industry

1982

Innovation

First Screen Line in the UK is installed

As seen on TV

First Superfresco Paintables TV ad

1984

Back on TV

First Superfresco Colors TV ad

1986

40 years of Graham & Brown

Graham & Brown celebrates 40 years. The celebration included a reproduction of the original design on the Superfresco brand

Ian Brown

Ian Brown, David's son, joins the business

1990

Coloroll Acquisition

Graham & Brown acquires part of the Coloroll business

1991

G&B America Opens

Graham & Brown goes stateside.

Henry sadly passes away

1992

Hello Andrew Graham

Andrew Graham, son of Roger and Grandson of Harold joins the business

1993

DIY Week Awards

Graham & Brown win top innovation award at the DIY Week Awards

1994

GB Holland

Graham & Brown goes to Holland

1995

The Design Centre

The Design & Marketing Centre opens

Our wonderful Shirley

1998/1999

Roger and David

Roger and David celebrate 40 years of working together

1999

GB France

Graham & Brown goes to France

2000

Shuttleworth Mead

Shuttleworth Mead warehouse and purpose built Distribution Centre with 8 million roll capacity

2004

Wall Art & Home Launches

2006

Graham & Brown Brand

The Graham & Brown Brand launches

2007

Superfresco Easy

Superfresco Easy launches

2008

Superfresco Turns 25

The Superfresco brand celebrates 25 years of success

2009/2010

Cool Brands Awards

Graham & Brown receives the first of many Cool Brands awards

2010

Gallery & Brand rooms open

The Design & Marketing Centre refurbishments take place

2010

Superfresco Easy Tv Ad Launches

2011

Launch of Disney Wallpaper & Wall Art

2014

Made of Design Campaign

Including the first appearance of Boris and Doris

New Wave

2015

The first ever National wallpaper week

John Carter Celebrates 40 years service

2016

Andrew Graham Receives his MBE

2019

Made for each other campaign

TV and Press Campaign featuring G&B Branded Wallpaper and Paint

2020

Bespoke Murals Launch

With The First Mural Of The Year

2021

Graham & Brown Celebrate 75 Years Of Innovation

The National Portrait Gallery Collaboration

Our Sustainability Pledge

We will be carbon neutral from January 2022