David Ogden Holidays celebrated its 50th anniversary on 9 December 2025 with a special birthday event held at the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool.
The St Helens-based coach tour operator brought more than 300 customers from across its catchment area for an afternoon programme that included a three-course lunch, a charity raffle, and entertainment by ABBA tribute act ‘Swede Dreamz’.
During the event, Managing Director David Ogden (pictured, top left) presented a cheque for £51,225 to the North West Air Ambulance charity, the culmination of a specific ambition linked to the anniversary.
“Over the years we’ve supported many different charities, but for the last 15 years we’ve been raising money for the North West Air Ambulance,” says Mr Ogden.
“When it looked like we might be on target to achieve £50,000 to coincide with the 50th anniversary, we all put in extra effort to make that happen. In the end, and thanks to some magnificent support from our guests at the lunch, we achieved that ambition, with a bit extra to spare.
“What a fabulous time we had, celebrating our business, our amazing customers and suppliers. This industry is all about support from all angles and we are delighted that this was achieved on our special day as it has been throughout the last 50 years.”
Joining David Ogden Holidays’ customers and staff were industry colleagues representing suppliers and trade organisations including Scania UK, Wrightsure, TCD Design and Print, and the Coach Tourism Association.
The logistics required to ensure that 325 guests were able to be part of the birthday event, and to avoid bunching at the hotel drop-off point, meant the David Ogden Holidays team had staggered the arrival of seven full-size coaches, one 16-seat minibus, and three eight-seat people carriers.
“Across the year, my wife Joan and I escorted special anniversary tours to Harrogate, the Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles and Austria and Slovenia,” says Mr Ogden. “Being able to bring everyone together in Blackpool really was the icing on the cake of a very special year.”
