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Independent and family-owned – a Bolton-based clothing store is celebrating a huge milestone this year. For the last 24 years, Hurley has been based in Middlebrook Retail Park, now the outlet’s flagship store. However, the company’s origins trace back to 1955 in Salford when it first started as a sports shop called Hurley’s Sports and Camping.
And this year – the company is celebrating 70 years in business. Managing director Mark Hurley said: “It’s such an achievement to reach 70 years in business and to be here running something my parents started with my own children. “It’s amazing to think of where the business started as a milk bar, evolving to a sports and golf store, even school uniform and then into fashion.
Hurley's opened their first store in 1955 in Salford (Image: Hurley) “There have been countless challenges to overcome, and we are in a tough economy, but the reason we are always able to do so is by having an amazing team and are constantly evolving with the times. “If you don’t keep pace with the future, it will outpace you. “We just want to take the opportunity to thank all of our team and everyone who has supported us and continue to evolve with us over the years.
” Mark Hurley (Image: Hurley's) Mark’s parents Ron and Eileen Hurley were the founders of the business and it’s been a family venture ever since. Their house served as the company’s head office in the beginning. The store was one of the first-of-its kind in the area and stocked equipment and clothing for a range of sports as well as tents and camping equipment.
In 1961, they opened a new store on Mosley Street in Manchester, located in the basement below the Halifax Building. The Mosley Street store was destroyed in a fire after a broken lift crashed through it (Image: Hurley) However, just a few years later, the lift broke and smashed through to the store, setting it on fire and destroying it completely. The store did not reopen, but the business continued to expand.
In 1963, Hurley opened the first golf store that wasn’t based on a golf course in the country in the centre of Leeds. The company next opened another golf store in Manchester – originally on Fountain Street – but eventually moving to the more central location of 83 Piccadilly. The beginning of the fashion side of the business was born here – with designer clothing being brought into the store.
Hurley acquired a contract with Lacoste and began a strong relationship with the well-known label. Founder Ron Hurley died in 1980, leaving his wife Eileen Hurley, son Mark and daughter Kim to run the business. Mark opened his own branch of Hurley on Salford Precinct, selling sportswear and equipment, and saw success.
They expanded across the North West – with stores in Manchester, Salford, Eccles, Leeds and beyond. (left to right) General managers of the Middlebrook store Jess Pizzey and Tara Minion and managing director Mark Hurley in 2025 (Image: Hurley) Have a story? Get in touch at eoin.mccaul@newsquest.
co.uk Bolton was identified as the next location for another store and they opened two units in Middlebrook Leisure Park in Horwich. In 2006, Eileen died leaving Kim and Mark – now experienced business people – in full control of the Hurley’s brand.
The company opened new stores in the Trafford Centre, Leeds and New Cathedral Street in Manchester. They next opened stores in Wigan, Liverpool and Bury. Hurley's in Middlebrook (Image: Hurley's) READ MORE: Hopes for D&R News and Off Licence in The Haulgh to reopen READ MORE: WH Smith profits jump as company sells high street division READ MORE: TVD Bolton marks 2 years of being employee owned with party At its peak in the early 2000s, Hurley had a total of 11 stores, but – the financial crisis hit in 2008 – and they went into administration and nearly lost everything.
Hurley diverted all of their resources into the flagship Bolton store to save the business – and develop their online store. Now the Middlebrook store is the only one left following the closure of the Wigan outlet in 2023. Despite facing hardships over the years, the business has always managed to recover, and in 2015 they celebrated their 60th anniversary with a Jazz-themed loyalty event.
This year – they will be celebrating 70 years in November..
