Floral Tributes Honour Market Harborough Shopkeeper

Floral tributes have been left outside a much-loved Market Harborough shop following the death of its owner Jim Gilbert.

Bouquets and messages have been placed outside Frank Gilbert Housewares on the High Street, where Jim served generations of customers for more than 50 years.

One card attached to a bouquet reads: “RIP Mr Gilbert. Will miss you and your lovely shop.”

Bouquets and messages have been placed outside Frank Gilbert Housewares on the High Street

Hundreds of tributes have also been shared online, with customers remembering Jim as a kind, knowledgeable and dedicated shopkeeper.

Jim died on Tuesday aged 78 after contracting pneumonia while battling prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones.

His traditional housewares and hardware shop was a much-loved fixture on the High Street and was often described as an “Aladdin’s cave” because of the huge range of stock inside.

Jim Gilbert outside his shop

Jim’s family have thanked everyone for their lovely messages and for remembering him with such affection.

They have said he was “so brave till the end” and that he loved his shop and his customers.

The family have asked people to keep them in their thoughts at this difficult time and for privacy as they grieve.