Preston Market shoppers and stallholders have joined in paying their respects to a stalwart of a city butcher’s.
Charlie Cardwell of Redmans of Preston has died aged 79 after a short illness.
The butchers and hot sandwich stall in the Indoor Market Hall confirmed his death on Wednesday morning and an outpouring of tributes have been paid by customers of Redmans, Market shoppers and fellow stallholders alike.
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Jean Johnrose, head of kitchen at Redmans, told Blog Preston: “I’d been working alongside Charlie for around five years and I had missed him so much since he stopped working back in February time.
“It was just me and him in here first-thing, like 6am, getting everything ready. He was such a joy to work alongside.
“We will always remember him, we’re planning to have something up on the stall on Saturday to remember him – and we still call this till the Charlie till because it’s where he always was.”
Asked what he would make of the comments and tributes, Jean said: “He didn’t like a fuss, so I really don’t know. I am sure he would secretly love it.
“You knew if he wasn’t happy because his hat would come off, that was the signal from Charlie!
“He really was one in a million, I will miss him so much.”
Charlie, who lived in Wrea Green and grew up in Blackpool, had previously run his own stall in the former Indoor Market for decades before joining Redmans.
Fellow Market stalwart, Adrian Livesey, of Livesey’s Butchers across the hall from Redmans remembered his dealings wih Charlie fondly.
He said: “I’d known of Charlie for about 30 years and we had become friends about two decades ago.
“He was a great fella. He liked a smoke, he liked a drink and he always had a full English breakfast.
“He was a music fan too. Loved the crooners. He was always humming and singing, sometimes we’d have a little ditty across the Market Hall to each other.
“Always in early, it was incredible his discipline and dedication. He will be so missed.
“He had a passion for the job, in making sure people got the best. That’s why people loved Charlie.”
Adrian has perched on the counter at Livesey’s a poem written and framed by Charlie which marked Livesey’s 40th anniversary of trading.
Adrian said: “I can’t believe he’s gone. I will miss him so much. He was a great friend to me.”
Tributes to Charlie have also been paid by Preston City Council who manage the Market Hall and this Friday (6 June) the market canopy will be lit red and white in Charlie’s memory.
Deputy city council leader and cabinet member for resources, councillor Martyn Rawlinson, said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Cardwell, a much-loved figure at Preston Markets. His contribution to the market’s rich history will be remembered with great fondness and respect. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the team at Redmans during this difficult time.”
In a statement owners of Redmans, Emily and Chris, said: “This post is shared with the heaviest of hearts and sadness. This morning we were told that our beloved colleague and friend, Charlie, had sadly passed away overnight.
For our customers, Charlie was a staple of not just Redmans, but Preston Market itself. Charlie’s legendary butchers had been in Preston Market for decades, before joining Redmans of Preston in 2018. As many of you will know, Charlie had to retire through ill health not too long ago and he has continued to be asked about and well wishes passed on for the duration of his thoroughly missed absence.
“Charlie did not take the level of care the customers had for him for granted and was always so grateful when we passed these well wishes on.
“For us and our team, Charlie was the grandfather of our Redmans family and we have missed his presence in the shop every day. We were humbled by his welcoming and kind nature; the support he provided to us over the last year is something that we couldn’t thank him enough for. Charlie’s wisdom and knowledge was cherished by us, he always knew what to say and when to say it. He was one of life’s good ones and a true gentleman. His humour, wit, and on special days, his singing and humming, will never be forgotten by us or any of our team. The world is a darker place without him in it.
“Charlie’s legacy will continue through Redmans, with the butcher counter being looked after by our team with great care and pride. We all know the boots that stood before us and whilst we will never fill them, we will all do our upmost to maintain Charlie’s standards and keep his story going for the years to come.
Meeting and knowing you was a true honour Charlie and we will miss you. Until we meet again.”
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