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The owner of a popular city wine bar has died in a freak accident.
Winedown has announced the death of its founder James Douglas Lowe, or known as Doogie or Doug.
He has died aged 57 after he was struck by a falling tree on a journey back from Durham during Tuesday 20 August. The crash took place near Sedbergh in Cumbria.
In a statement his son Will said: “Our beloved founder, owner and forever belligerent bartender sadly lost his life in a horrible freak accident.
“During the journey home from Durham a tree fell during a brief pocket storm and sadly killed him instantly.
“Dad and myself were travelling back from visiting his mother and spending the Monday at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We had such a fantastic time and the memories made are ones I will always cherish.”
Addressing the future of the bar, Will said: “It is my hope that this will not be the end of Winedown and that when the dust has settled we will come back even stronger, retaining our ability to treat every customer as a friend welcomed into our lives. Informing, educating and entertaining you lovely people, sharing our passion for all that we do.
“So raise a glass, have a dram, sample some cheese in honour of Doogie- raise a smile and share fond memories of a fantastic man taken from us far too soon.
“I personally thank you for your custom over the years and I really look forward to welcoming you through our doors as Dad did with so much pleasure.”
Set in a basement in Lancaster Road, Preston city centre, the wine bar has gathered a cult following and is a popular part of the city’s drinking scene. It has a five-star rating on TripAdvisor and is ranked as the second-best bar in the city.
Last year’s High Street Heroes Awards saw Winedown voted as the best bar in Preston.
Douglas Lowe’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 10 September at 12noon at Howe Bridge Crematorium in Lovers’ Lane, Atherton.
A celebration of his life will take place after at Golborne Sports and Social Club, Stone Cross Lane, Golborne, Warrington.
All those attending are asked to wear ‘sports shirts of teams special to your hearts’ or anything navy blue for Dougie’s beloved Scotland.
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