Tributes to Tenbury Wells businessman George Bowkett

A Tenbury businessman who built up a successful supermarket business in the town has died.

George Bowkett died peacefully on August 4 aged 102, his family said today.

Mr Bowkett was the second of three generations of butchers in Tenbury Wells and was responsible for developing a butchers shop into the successful supermarket Bowketts which continues to thrive today.

Born in 1908 in nearby Rochford, Mr Bowkett took over from his father William in 1938, although he had been working in the shop since he was just 15.

He officially retired in his 80s when his three sons John, Ben and Roger took over the management of the business.

But Mr Bowkett continued to have a regular input and his advice was often sought, his son said.

In 2008, the family celebrated not only Mr Bowkett's 100th birthday, but a century of Bowketts supermarkets in the town.

Mr Bowkett also leaves six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.