Celebrating 75 Years

Through The Decades

Graham and Brown

  • 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 the brand.

  • Harold sadly passes away

    1951

  • Hello Roger Graham

    1958

    Harold’s son Roger joins the business.

  • Hello David Brown

    1959

    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.

  • the Big Debut

    1960

    The first advert was produced featuring our Graham & Brown girl.

  • Expanding...

    1963

    The acquisition of Plantation Mill, Blackburn.

  • 1960’s winding machines

  • Expanding some more!

    1967

    The acquisition of Daisyfield Mill, Blackburn.

  • 1960’s wrapping machines

  • Advertising Campaigns

    1968

  • Growth in Europe

    1970

  • Began exporting to Europe.

  • Barbara castle mp

    1972

    A visit from Barbara Castle MP.

  • More advertising!

  • Boardroom Preserved

    1974

    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.

  • John Carter

    1975

    Henry Brown’s grandson John Carter joins the business.

  • A Royal Invitation

    1978

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

  • Innovation

    1982

    First Screen Line in the UK is installed.

  • As seen on TV

    1983

    First Superfresco Paintables TV ad.

  • Back on tv

    1984

    First Superfresco Colors TV ad.

  • 40 years of Graham & Brown

    1986

    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

  • Coloroll Acquisition

    1990

    Graham & Brown acquires part of the Coloroll business.

  • G&B America Opens

    1991

    Graham & Brown goes stateside.

  • Henry sadly passes away

  • Hello Andrew Graham

    1992

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

  • DIY Week Awards

    1993

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

  • GB Holland

    1994

    Graham & Brown goes to Holland.

  • The Design Centre

    1995

    The Design & Marketing Centre opens.

  • Our wonderful Shirley.

  • Roger and David

    1998/1999

    Roger and David celebrate 40 years of working together.

  • GB France

    1999

    Graham & Brown goes to France.

  • Shuttleworth Mead

    2000

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

  • Wall Art & Home Launches

    2004

  • Graham & Brown Brand

    2006

    The Graham & Brown Brand launches.

  • Superfresco Easy

    2007

    Superfresco Easy launches.

  • Superfresco Turns 25!

    2008

    The Superfresco brand celebrates 25 years of success.

  • Cool Brands Awards

    2009/10

    Graham & Brown receives the first of many Cool Brands awards.

  • Gallery & Brand rooms open

    2010

    The Design & Marketing Centre refurbishments take place.

  • Superfresco Easy Tv Ad Launches

    2010

  • Launch of Disney Wallpaper & Wall Art

    2011

  • Made of Design Campaign

    2014

    Including the first appearance of Boris and Doris!

  • New Wave

  • The first ever National wallpaper week

    2015

  • John Carter Celebrates 40 years service

  • Andrew Graham Receives his MBE

    2016

  • Made for each other Campaign

    2019

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

  • Bespoke Murals Launch

    2020

    With The First Mural Of The Year

  • Graham & Brown Celebrate 75 Years Of Innovation

    2021

  • The National Portrait Gallery Collaboration

  • Our Sustainability Pledge

    We will be carbon neutral from January 2022

1940s

    • 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

1950s

    • 1950

      Continued Growth

    • Growth brings about further investment in machinery and the brand.

    • Harold sadly passes away

      1951

    • Hello Roger Graham

      1958

      Harold’s son Roger joins the business.

    • Hello David Brown

      1959

      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.

1960s

    • the Big Debut

      1960

      The first advert was produced featuring our Graham & Brown girl.

    • Expanding...

      1963

      The acquisition of Plantation Mill, Blackburn.

    • 1960’s winding machines

    • Expanding some more!

      1967

      The acquisition of Daisyfield Mill, Blackburn.

    • 1960’s wrapping machines

    • Advertising Campaigns

      1968

1970s

    • Growth in Europe

      1970

    • Began exporting to Europe.

    • Barbara castle mp

      1972

      A visit from Barbara Castle MP.

    • More advertising!

    • Boardroom Preserved

      1974

      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.

    • John Carter

      1975

      Henry Brown’s grandson John Carter joins the business.

    • A Royal Invitation

      1978

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

1980s

    • Innovation

      1982

      First Screen Line in the UK is installed.

    • As seen on TV

      1983

      First Superfresco Paintables TV ad.

    • Back on tv

      1984

      First Superfresco Colours TV ad.

    • 40 years of Graham & Brown

      1986

      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

1990s

    • Coloroll Acquisition

      1990

      Graham & Brown acquires part of the Coloroll business.

    • G&B America Opens

      1991

      Graham & Brown goes stateside.

    • Henry sadly passes away

    • Hello Andrew Graham

      1992

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

    • DIY Week Awards

      1993

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

    • GB Holland

      1994

      Graham & Brown goes to Holland.

    • The Design Centre

      1995

      The Design & Marketing Centre opens.

    • Our wonderful Shirley.

    • Roger and David

      1998/1999

      Roger and David celebrate 40 years of working together.

    • GB France

      1999

      Graham & Brown goes to France.

2000s

    • Shuttleworth Mead

      2000

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

    • Wall Art & Home Launches

      2004

    • Graham & Brown Brand

      2006

      The Graham & Brown Brand launches.

    • Superfresco Easy

      2007

      Superfresco Easy launches.

    • Superfresco Turns 25!

      2008

      The Superfresco brand celebrates 25 years of success.

    • Cool Brands Awards

      2009/10

      Graham & Brown receives the first of many Cool Brands awards.

    • Gallery & Brand rooms open

      2010

      The Design & Marketing Centre refurbishments take place.

2010s

    • Superfresco Easy Tv Ad Launches

      2010

    • Launch of Disney Wallpaper & Wall Art

      2011

    • Made of Design Campaign

      2014

      Including the first appearance of Boris and Doris!

    • New Wave

    • The first ever National wallpaper week

      2015

    • John Carter Celebrates 40 years service

    • Andrew Graham Receives his MBE

      2016

    • Made for each other Campaign

      2019

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

2020s

    • Bespoke Murals Launch

      2020

      With The First Mural Of The Year

    • Graham & Brown Celebrate 75 Years Of Innovation

      2021

    • The National Portrait Gallery Collaboration

    • Our Sustainability Pledge

      We will be carbon neutral from January 2022

A Carbon Neutral Business
Associate Partner of
The Painting and Decorating Association

We accept
© Graham and Brown Ltd. 2022