Alan isn’t just passionate about maps—he’s built a whole career bringing history to life, one reprint at a time. For the past 25 years, he’s run his publishing business from Prospect House, Leadgate, turning a lifelong fascination into a thriving enterprise.
Born in Newcastle in 1943, Alan’s journey took a few detours—architecture, office jobs, even a stint as a theatre actor—before he found his true calling in an unexpected place: a second-hand bookshop. But it wasn’t books that caught his eye—it was old maps.
What started as a small trade soon became a publishing success, with his first big order from Gateshead Education Authority launching him into business. By 1983, he was reprinting maps from across the country, often with the help of librarians adding historical context. His business moved a few times before settling in Leadgate in 2000, where it has flourished ever since.
Today, Alan’s company boasts a vast collection of 3,800 maps covering Britain, Ireland, and even wartime Germany and France. Four new maps are published every fortnight, sold online and through museums, libraries, and bookshops. Each map comes with meticulously researched historical notes—3,000 words of local history, compiled by a team of 12 historians, including Alan himself.
Despite the option to be based anywhere, Alan remains loyal to the North East, drawn by its history, hardworking people, and sense of community. For him, there’s no better place to map out the past—or the future.
Story and Photography By George Ledger – Consett in Focus
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