A COMPANY which started out providing birthday parties for youngsters is well on its way to becoming one of the most in-demand entertainment agencies in the UK.

Pop Up Entertainment, based on Tontine Street, Blackburn, has seen a massive expansion since managing director Amy Toole set up the company less than two years ago

Initially Amy, a former Westholme School pupil, concentrated on her Pop Up Princesses operation, but now Pop Up Entertainment provides performers for themed nights in restaurants, full shows for various family attractions and has even provided the cast for the festive parade at the Trafford Centre in Manchester for the past couple of years.

Next Saturday, Amy and her team will be heavily involved in the Blackburn Christmas parade in the town centre which promises to be the most spectacular event yet.

“It’s going to be so nice to be able to do something in our home town.” said Amy, 29. “Things have moved so quickly, I sometimes have to pinch myself.”

Amy moved her business back to Blackburn from Chorley earlier this year into the former Bootstraps building and has created a dance studio and rehearsal space.

Pop Up Entertainment has also been given its biggest contract to date providing entertainers for P&O for a series of themed mini-cruises on the Hull to Rotterdam crossing.

“To break through into the cruise market is massive for us,” said Amy. “We will start working with P&O in March and I think it’s a case of them wanting to see what we can do.”

Amy and her team are devising an Abba and Queen tribute show, a special Sixties night and a Eurovision-themed show.

“Getting into the cruise market was part of a five-year plan and we have achieved it in less than two years,” said Amy.

“We have so many talented performers on our books or who we can call upon from singers and dancers through to fire eaters and aerial artists.

“We take total control of everything including all the creative aspects, choreography and costumes. It’s just a really exciting time for us.”