The competition was first held in 1979 in
Coatbridge, Scotland as a men's singles only event. The first event was sponsored by
Embassy Cigarettes. In 1986, the men's pairs competition was added to the championship. In 1988, a rule change allowed women to compete for the first time and the women's singles competition was created. This rule change also changed expanded the men's singles and pairs competition and both become
open tournaments. In 1989, the championships moved to the Guild Hall in
Preston, England and
Churchill Insurance took over the sponsorship. While the competition was being held in Preston,
Midland Bank and
SAGA were also sponsors at various times. In 1999,
Potters Holidays took over the sponsorship and, as part of the agreement, the event moved to its current home at the company's resort in Hopton-on-Sea. The mixed pairs competition was added to the championship in 2004. == Men's/Open singles champions ==