A WELL known businessman who helped found the Marlow Chamber of Trade has died after a long term illness.

Alan Coster, who ran Coster and Sons on the Marlow High Street died at Foxleigh Grove Nursing home on November 22 aged 85.

He entered the family business in 1947, set up by his grandfather Edmund Coster in 1884, who bought the premise at 50 High Street for £23 – plus another £23 for stock and fixtures.

Originally used as a grocer and tobacco business at the time, the family built the shop up into a specialist wholesale and retail tobacconists.

It later switched to 52 High Street.

Mr Coster described the shop as “my whole life” on the shop’s 110 year anniversary in 1994.

It closed its doors for the last time in 2001 when he retired.

Before entering the world of commerce Mr Coster was called up to serve as a petty officer on HMS Cygnet in 1944.

He was one of two sons born to Sydney Coster and Phyllis Findlay and was educated at Culford School, Bury St Edmunds.

He went on to Imperial College of Science in London to study physics.

Mr Coster was one of six founder members of the Marlow Chamber of Trade in 1956 and was twice president of the organisation from 1968-1969 and 1986.

He was also president of the Rotary Club of Marlow.

In 1987 he helped raise funds with Francis Murray towards £90,000 required to enable Age Concern to buy a house in Glade Road to run as a day centre.

Money was raised through Marlow Tradesmen’s Dart Club which ran charity matches.

They raised several thousand pounds in a few months with a record total of £1,265 raised in one evening at The Chequers Inn.

He was one of seven founder members of the Marlow Regatta and Festival committee.

His positions included: Chairman of Association of Independent Tobacco Specialists, president of Marlow Licensed Victuallers Association, chairman of the local W.T.T.A, vice president of Marlow Sports Club and treasurer of the Steve Redgrave appeal - raising £100,000.

Mr Coster's final official appearance was in July 2008 at the Marlow Rowing club when a umpire launch donated by URENCO was named ‘Alan Coster’ in recognition of his long involvement in the regatta.

He is survived by his wife, Kay, with whom he had four sons – Jeremy 59, Julian 54, Mark and Graham, 42, and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2.30pm on December 4 at All Saints church, Marlow; this follows a private cremation.

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ALAN Coster was dedicated to Marlow and knew everything there was to know about the town, say friends and family.

Son Julian Coster, 54, from Marlow, said: “My father is one of the last small shop keepers in Marlow to die, there's hardly anyone left. He dedicated his life to the shop and service to Marlow.

“He was a typical small town shop keeper, he was nosy and the shop was the hub of information.

“He was popular and well known throughout Marlow and we've had lots of calls of condolence from people since the weekend.”

He said he encouraged all of his sons to pursue their own interests and careers.

Former chamber president Martin Spittle, who still sits on the executive, said: “ I knew Alan for over 30 years, he was a nice chap.

“He was a very personable individual and worked hard in his business to service something that was utterly unique. He had a reputation which went beyond Marlow as a specialist tobacconist.

“He had a wealth of knowledge and information and there wasn't much that passed him by.

“He went to considerable trouble to put something back into the town.

“Not only did he know the history of Marlow he kept most of it, if you wanted facts or details he would have them.”

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