Colin Lightfoot ran his store for greater than half a century and has been described as ‘one among a form’
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved shopkeeper who served a Swansea group for greater than half a century. Colin Lightfoot had traded within the Manselton space of the town for greater than 50 years.
He was initially a cobbler earlier than diversifying and changing into a specialist greeting card store because the early Nineteen Eighties. Based mostly in Elgin Road his old-school traditional-feel store, which feels not too dissimilar inside to that seen within the TV present Open All Hours, has turn out to be each bit as a lot of a group as it’s a enterprise with prospects handled as Mr Lightfoot’s associates once they walked in.
He took a step again from his duties again in 2020 leaving now-owner Jo Brooks in cost. Mr Lightfoot had battled dementia and died peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, aged 86. A ebook of condolence has been opened in his reminiscence contained in the store with the numerous feedback left inside testomony to how nicely he was considered.
“What a real gentleman and such an incredible man to our group,” one particular person wrote. One other added: “Colin was one among a form.”
One other message learn: “What a privilege to have recognized a real gent. Might be sadly missed within the space.”
One other buyer wrote: “What a stunning chap. We had many chats that at all times ended with amusing. It was a pleasure to know you.”
One other added: “Everybody cherished him.”
All of it started for Mr Lightfoot when he had slightly storage commerce close to St Michael’s Church earlier than he moved to Manselton in a nook unit reverse the place the store is now. He then moved throughout to the present venue 42 years in the past the place he remained.
He would go above and past for his prospects and if he didn’t have a specific card in inventory that they wished he would discover it inside 48 hours.
Mr Lightfoot performed soccer in his youthful days for Bryndeg United and competed in a ultimate on the previous Vetch Discipline in 1964 and scored a objective. He went on to handle the membership they usually gained the league in 1979-80. He would additionally play bowls for the Previous Landorians.
He was shut associates with the late Howard Lloyd who would assist him out on the store and usually take him on warehouse runs to get his inventory in Bristol on Sundays.
Ms Brooks stated: “He has been a personality and folks cherished him, simply completely cherished him.
“By means of lockdown individuals would come and knock on his door on a Sunday and produce him a dinner – he’d have all of them piled up as a result of individuals had been so type to him. That is the form of particular person he was – he was a gentleman.
“He by no means took a time off, he by no means went wherever – he was afraid that his prospects would not come again if he wasn’t right here. His prospects had been his life and the store was his life.
“For me Colin was a superb pal. He was humorous.
“I cherished the way in which that he was so brutally trustworthy however simply an all-round pretty gentleman. All people thought they had been Colin’s solely pal – that is how he made them really feel.
“He was a really personal man, and also you would not know a lot about his life however he’d know so much about all people else and about the whole lot like sport and so many various issues.
“The enterprise remains to be going beneath the identify Colin’s Playing cards – I might by no means have known as it anything.
“There’ll at all times be that connection to him. Colin’s prospects are very loyal and maintain coming again and we might like some new prospects to come back alongside too. It’s a group hub and I prefer to assume that we have saved the essence of Colin going.”
Denise O’Sullivan as soon as labored for Mr Lightfoot throughout his time as a cobbler. Recalling her recollections of him whereas calling into the store she stated: “He was a superb man. This was a vital group to Colin. He performed an enormous contribution to Manselton.”
Mr Lightfoot’s funeral takes place on Tuesday, July 8, at 2pm at Swansea crematorium. His funeral cortege will depart from the store.
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