Tributes paid to well-known Alnwick resident Kevin Thompson
Tributes have been paid to a man known by many in Alnwick following his death.
Kevin Thompson passed away on September 1 after losing his battle with cancer.
He was the founder of Thompson Opticians. At the age of 22 in 1984, he opened his first branch in his home town and it grew to become a successful business.
Beyond optometry, Kevin was a sub-postmaster, entrepreneur, musician, community radio founder, school governor, listed-building renovator and Mayor of Alnwick.
A post on the Thompson Opticians Ltd Facebook page included the following: “Kevin was a familiar face and character in the town.
“Over time, he grew the business to 32 branches – including one branch in Scotland. He was extremely proud of the business he built. Kevin sold the business last October to concentrate on his battle with cancer.
“Kevin was an advocate for optometry, especially for independent opticians.
“He was a council member of the Association of Optometrists (AOP) for 18 years, including a spell as chairman. He was recently awarded the AOP’s Peter Yeo Medal – the highest accolade given by the association.
“Kevin will be deeply missed by his patients, former colleagues, friends and family.”
Among those also paying tribute is Coun Gordon Castle, county councillor for the Alnwick Castle ward, who said: “I have known Kevin as a friend and colleague over decades and am greatly saddened by his loss far too early in life.
“He was an energetic man of the town, always prepared to get stuck in and push forward, but he never lost his cheerful demeanor and good humour.
“The town will not be the same without him and I offer my deepest sympathy to his grieving family.”