Devastated family and friends have paid tribute to a popular Coventry shopkeeper and businessman who has died just weeks into his well-deserved retirement. Arthur Harrison, 73, was very well-known on the DIY circuit, having run stores in his home city of Coventry and more recently in Warwickshire.

He opened Arthur's Foodstore in Stoney Stanton Road way back in 1969 before relocating the business to Hexworthy Avenue in Styvechale. But the likeable entrepreneur was perhaps best known in Kenilworth, where he ran hardware store Buyrite from 1991 until the end of April, when he closed the shop to move into retirement.

Arthur's daughter Louise told CoventryLive: "We are devastated. His health deteriorated quickly, he had pneumonia. He worked so hard all his life and had such a short retirement."

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Dozens of heartfelt tributes to the father-of-four, who passed away last Friday (4), have been posted on the Kenilworth Vibes Facebook page. Marianne Dawn said: "Such a wonderful man with a heart of gold. A real people person who cheered up everyone he met and always put a smile on our faces. God bless you Arthur."

Sue Auhali described him as a 'local legend' while Clive Owen said 'gone but never forgotten'. Lisa Rathbone remembered 'a lovely gentleman', saying 'thank you for all the laughs over the years'.

"If ever you needed anything, Arthur always had what you wanted," Sandy Bull said. "He was an amazing man and will be missed."

Arthur Harrison closed the doors to his Kenilworth hardware store Buyrite back in April
Arthur Harrison closed the doors to his Kenilworth hardware store Buyrite back in April

"Sorry to hear he didn't get to enjoy his retirement," Sarah Lambany wrote. "He was a part of Kenilworth." Lisa Jayne Richards described him as 'a true Kenilworth legend'.

Speaking earlier this year, after Arthur confirmed he would be closing Buyrite, Paul Townsend said his close friend was 'the last of a unique breed of retailer' who was 'as customer-orientated as a businessman could be'.

"If you live in Kenilworth, I don't think there's a single person who wouldn't know who you were talking about if you said 'Arthur at Buyrite'," the retired entrepreneur had said.

Much-loved Arthur Harrison with customers at the Buyrite store he ran in Kenilworth
Much-loved Arthur Harrison with customers at the Buyrite store he ran in Kenilworth

"He's Kenilworth's biggest celebrity. He's very popular, especially with the older generation that come here. I can think of many catchphrases that Arthur used to say, but one always stands out.

"If he didn't have a particular item in the shop he'd always say 'I'll have it in tomorrow'. He'd make a note in his little book and if he didn't have it in for tomorrow it would be the next day. It's a very important shop in Kenilworth."

Arthur is survived by his wife Sue, brothers Roy and Peter, sister Gwen, children Anita, Louise, David and Christopher, and grandddaughter Grace.

His funeral will be held in Cannon Hill Chapel at Canley Crematorium at 12.45pm on Monday, August 21.

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