The Fylde Castle Hotel was situated in Blackpool and was Elsie Howard's chosen place to stay when she booked a Christmas break in the resort in December 1971, determined to avoid several hours slaving over a stove on Christmas day. However Alan Howard, always reluctant about the plan, told her that his best customer, Jack Isaacs, wanted his fleet of three vans servicing over the break which was the only time they could be taken off the road and not interrupt his business. Elsie was livid when she found out that her plans for a break had been scuppered.