A PROMINENT businessman who worked as a town centre locksmith for 50 years has died.

James Edward Oxendale was well known in the town for his shop, Oxendale Locksmiths, which was based in the Market Hall.

He was also former president of the Market Traders’ Association and Bolton’s Chamber of Trade.

Mr Oxendale, of Chorley Old Road, Bolton, died suddenly on Friday at the Royal Bolton Hospital, aged 82.

His wife Betty died four years ago, and his son Jon died last year.

Mr Oxendale was born in West Virginia, in the USA, in 1927 and trained as a fitter with the American Gas Board.

He later moved to Bolton with his mother, who originally came from the town, and he became an apprentice locksmith with Fisher Raworth. In 1957, Mr Oxendale took over a shop in the Market Hall and opened Oxendale Locksmiths.

He became a popular figure in the town and his services were used by the police, banks and council.

He was the president of the Market Traders’ Association and Bolton’s Chamber of Commerce, a member of Bolton Retailers’ Committee, and a governor of Bolton Technical College.

Mr Oxendale was also called on to produce hand-made keys for the vaults under the Houses of Parliament.

He ran his business until 2007 when it closed down to make way for the refurbishment of the Market Hall.

He continued to work from home for some of his customers until he died.

Close friend Mary Barker, former manager of Whitakers department store in Deansgate, said: “It is the end of an era. Everyone in Bolton knew Oxendale’s and James was very popular in the town. He will be missed by a lot of people.”

A funeral for Mr Oxendale will be held at 2.30pm on Friday at Overdale Crematorium.