In the best-of-23-frames final, South African player Silvino Francisco defeated Canadian Kirk Stevens 12–9.

[2] Broadcaster ITV were concerned about the prospect of large overtime payments for their staff if matches overran, and also requested that the afternoon matches started at 2:00 pm rather than the originally scheduled 1:00 pm, to avoid higher payments to lighting technicians that would have been due if the lighting was switched on before that time.

[3] The decision by snooker governing body the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) to cut the length of matches in response to ITV's request was publicly criticised by WPBSA board member Barry Hearn, who was also the manager of prominent player Steve Davis.

[3] The event was sponsored by ICI Paints Division and was known for sponsorship purposes as the 1985 Dulux British Open.

[6] Bob Harris, who to that point had made little impact as a player, beat world number six Eddie Charlton 6–3 after being 1–3 behind.

[2] Steve Newbury, in his first season as a professional player, recorded a 5–3 win over former world champion Terry Griffiths in the last 32.

[12] In the last 16, Alex Higgins was level at 2–2 with Cliff Thorburn, then made a total clearance of 142, the highest break of the tournament, and went on to win 5–2.

[5][13] Kirk Stevens won his quarter-final against Dennis Taylor by winning five straight frames after trailing 0–2,[14] and went on to beat Davis 9–7 in the semi-final to reach his first ranking tournament final.

In the frame following this, Stevens compiled the highest break of the final, 108, which left Francisco 9–5 ahead at the end of the first day.