A much-loved village butcher who enjoyed "decades of great memories, laughter and friendship" has died.
Alan Nicholson was a much loved member of the community in West Derby and was well known as the village butcher. Alan enjoyed a career for more than 50 years in the trade starting when he was just 12.
Alan's loving family have now remembered him as a "generous, witty and kind man" and are devastated by his loss.
READ MORE: Man arrested on suspicion of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Alan was born in Liverpool in 1958 and grew up in West Derby. In 1970, when he was just 12, he started working as a Saturday boy for Ed Brown and Bill Atherton at the butcher's shop at 227 Eaton Road. Alan would often go there after he finished school to sweep the floors.
His family told the ECHO he started in the days when sawdust was used liberally on the floor to prevent slips. Alan did a short stint at Dewhurst's, in Old Swan, after leaving school but soon returned to take over the shop in Mill Lane in 1984.
Alan worked at the shop until March 2021 when he finally decided to hang up his apron after more than 50 years in the trade. His family said: "Though he was sad to leave, he was excited to hang up his apron and swap his knives for some golf clubs."
Alan bid farewell to his customers on March 20, saying: "I truly can't thank you enough for the support you have given over the years. I will of course be sad to leave but will take with me decades of great memories, laughter and friendship."
Alan died suddenly on August 17 aged 64. His family said: "He was doing what he loved doing - playing golf with friends.
"The family are devastated. Alan was generous, witty and such a kind man who did not have a bad word to say against anyone. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. We are touched by the comments and reactions on social media and local neighbourhood groups. RIP Alan - until we meet again."
READ NEXT:
Son appears in court charged with stabbing his mum to death in pub car park
Man admits murdering wife after 62-year-old was found dead in apartment
Paedophile caught with vile child abuse videos tried to blame his own son
Everton and Liverpool legends leave floral tributes for Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Armed police raid flat linked to Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting
