A reader rang to remind Newton News that Ebac is not the first Washing Machine manufacturer in Aycliffe. Colstons, now Tallents were producing machines for the notorious John Bloom in the 60’s prior to the company he owned, Rolls Razors, went bust owing the Aycliffe company £866,000.
John Bloom was a slick entreprenuer who sold his machines from newspaper adverts, cutting out the middlemen to bring cheap washers to the masses. He was selling 500 machines a week, financed largely through hire purchase agreements.
A washing machine price war broke out and Bloom was hit by a postal strike which affected sales and his backers pulled out leaving him high and dry.
John Bloom left Britain and dabbled in various overseas businesses including a Piano Bar. He will be in his early 80’s and currently resides in Spain. Bloom was born to orthodox Jewish parents in London. His father was a Polish tailor.
