Eastwood shoe firm boss dies

Mr Herbert Eastwood, of Keats Folds, was well-known in town having run H. Eastwood Ltd for two decades. He died on July 26th, at Pendle Community Hospital,

Mr Eastwood took over the running of the firm, based in Chancery Street (now Walk), from his father Herbert Eastwood sen. shortly after the Second World War.

Mr Eastwood sen. started the shop there in 1934 and his son kept the business operating until 1979 when he retired.

His daughter, Mrs Susan Brown, said: “He ran it with my mum Brenda, who passed away seven years ago. They loved working there and made it a very successful business before they sold it to K Shoes in 1979 because of mum’s ill-health. He retired then and spent most of his time looking after mum.”

Born in Burnley, Mr Eastwood worked in Gray’s Mill before being called up to serve in the Second World War.

A member of the Parachute Regiment, he served in Italy, Africa and Egypt. On his return to England, he married Brenda in 1947 and the couple concentrated their efforts on turning the family footwear firm into a real success.

“The shop was actually pulled down in around 1964 as part of a redevelopment scheme,” said Mrs Brown. “It opened again in December, 1966, in pretty much the same place it had been.”

Mr Eastwood leaves his children, Susan Brown and Jane Pickles, and three grandchildren. His funeral took place at Burnley Crematorium.