Matt Bland (1915-2009)
MATTHEW Bland was very much a hands-on entrepreneur who was involved in many businesses.
Born in a caravan at Long Eaton, he was the son of a showman.
The family moved to Stanton Street, Grantham, and Matt opened his business Streamline Taxis at the outbreak of war, which was taken over by his brother Chris.
Matt then opened a motorcycle business.
He built a garage in Welham Street (later NTS) and took on a Mercedes Benz franchise.
In the 1950s, he moved into the coffee bar scene, owning both the Rainbow on St Peter’s Hill and the legendary Long Bar, on London Road.
He then moved into the night club business, with the After Eight, a converted Methodist church hall on Bridge End Road. Following a major fire, Matt helped with the rebuilding and it reopened as the Phoenix.
He also ran coin-operated laundrettes.
Surprisingly, he still had time for hobbies. These included pigeon racing, angling, snooker and golf.
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