Prudence pays off for Blink Photo

A LANCASHIRE commercial photography business which works for some of the country’s biggest retailers, has snapped-up its own home.

Blink Photo, a founded in 2006 by married couple Steven and Emma Livesey, and which now has 20 staff, has acquired its 22,000 sq ft studio in Euxton near Chorley.

The company, which counts home shopping group N Brown Group, Marks and Spencer, and House of Fraser among its clients attributes its growth and financial strength to its prudent approach of re-investment and not amassing any debt.

Emma Livesey says: “We have steered away from banks and tried to fund the business personally and with help from family. Any profit we made in the early years was left in the company to build up our cash position and enable us to purchase new equipment. This definitely helped us during the recession when our competitors have struggled.”

As a result of their solid finances, the Liveseys were able to acquire the studio space at the old Royal Ordinance Factory, Euxton Lane, which they had rented since 2010.

Mrs Livesey added: “Purchasing our premises was a sound financial investment, but we love the fact that the building is so full of character and there’s nothing else like it in the area. With 22,000 sq ft of space, we have the scope to take on large scale projects, offering clients the unique selling point of leaving their set-up in situ, which reduces set-build costs.”

Blink Photo was advised on the acquisition by Lancashire chartered accountants and business advisers by Moore and Smalley.

James Treadwell, a partner at the firm, commented: “Steven and Emma are great entrepreneurs with a genuine passion and flair for what they do. They have recruited some very talented creative people and this skill set, in tandem with a strong financial position, has driven expansion which I’m confident will continue.”

Steve and Emma started Blink Photo when Emma was told she faced redundancy at the bank where she worked. Steve had been a photographer since his late teens, and the pair backed themselves to launch the business.

Emma Livesey said:“Some would say it was a crazy decision, but we were confident in the quality of Steven’s work and our business grew steadily over the years.”

Looking ahead, the challenge for the business is to expand its client base, maintaining relationships with existing customers and retaining service levels.

 “There are no contracts awarded in our industry so we must always be at the top of our game.” adds Mrs Livesey.