Tributes have been paid to a popular shopkeeper who has died. John Ingall was well-known for running John's News in Ilkeston and previously owned a number of shops across Nottinghamshire.
He died aged 80 on January 15 and now his son has paid tribute to him, describing him as "wonderful". John opened his first store in West Bridgford in 1966 after he married his first wife.
Following the death of his parents, John and his wife took over their shop in Station Road, Spondon, Derby. But when John heard a rumour that an Asda would be coming to Spondon, he quickly sold and moved to Bulwell.
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Following this, John ran stores in Sherwood, Long Eaton, Sneinton and then finally Ilkeston. He moved to the Ilkeston shop in 1987 and fell in love with the area.
John's son, Derby city councillor Phil Ingall, told Derbyshire Live: "He never stayed anywhere long. He used to buy a business, build it up and sell it on.
"But when he got to Ilkeston, he absolutely loved it - he loved Ilkeston, he loved the people so he stayed and sold it in about 2012 when he retired."
Speaking about why his dad loved the market town so much, Phil added: "I think it's because the people of Ilkeston say exactly what they think. They're dead straight, dead honest and they tell you exactly what they're thinking.
"That's Ilkeston people - they're fabulous. They're honest, straight people and that's what my dad liked."
Those who frequented John's News would often be able to pick up newspapers as well as confectionaries and even items like flavoured tobacco. "Dad was wonderful when he was in the shop talking to customers and he was a stickler for manners," Philip added.
"When he had a shop in Sherwood, he had a sign outside that said 'in this shop we say please and thank you'. Central News picked it up and did a piece on it.
"He was a grade A newsagent when the Nottingham Post used to do an award. He won a 12-inch black and white manual tune television which was presented to him by Brian Clough.
"He was very business driven, the shop was the love of his life. He was married to the shop he absolutely loved it."
Since John's passing, communities across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have come together to pay tribute to the former shop owner, with many reaching out to share their fond memories of him. Philip said he had been "absolutely blown away" by the tributes.
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