Funeral details announced for Blackpool retail champion

A minute’s silence was held at the latest Blackpool Business Leadership Group meeting attended by more than 170 people at Blackpool Football Club on Friday.

Mr Lefton owned Lefton’s Furniture Group in General Street and was a passionate voice in the town for improving the high streets and its retail offer.

He was taken ill suddenly, and died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on January 25 from sepsis aged 54. The family has asked that any donations be made to the Sepsis Trust via Box Brothers Funeral Service.

The service will be held at Vicarage Park, Community Centre in Poulton at 12.30pm.

Interment will be at Poulton New Cemetery at 1.30pm.

Martin Long, chair of the Blackpool Business Leadership Group, opened Friday's meeting by asking for a minute’s silence and said Mr Lefton’s death had come as a terrible shock.

He said: “As you know Richard was an active member of the business community and a powerful voice for our retail sector.”

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