Robin Heslop, the well-known man behind the counter of Manor Utilities in Woolston, has died aged 92.

His niece Dawn Stafford told the Daily Echo: "People would go into the shop and ask him for ideas on how to fix something at home. He'd disappear off, only to reappear minutes later with exactly the item they were after.

"He never threw anything away. The shop was a real Aladdin's Cave, stuffed to the rafters and akin to Arkwright's in (the classic TV show) Open All Hours.

"The shop was his life."

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Born in London in 1930, Robin was the youngest of six children. He was evacuated to Pontypridd in South Wales during the war.

The family relocated to Southampton in the late 1940s, living in Cedar Road close to where his father was the warden at St Barnabas Church in Lodge Road. 

Following his National Service in the Royal Air Force, Robin worked for British American Tobacco (BAT) for many years including a stint in Libya in the 1960s. 

He opened Manor Utilities in 1971, initially in Manor Road North before relocating to Bridge Road where the shop remained until Robin's retirement following a stroke in January 2015.

It was initially a junk shop but developed into a hardware shop with DIY equipment for hire. In 1996, he was the recipient of the Daily Echo classified courtesy award and was widely considered a real gentleman.

Robin, known as Bob, lived in Midanbury from 1961 until he moved to Avon Park Care Home in Park Gate two and a half years ago. He cared for his disabled sister Irene for many years until her death in 1999 and also liked to potter in the garden.

Robin was a much-loved uncle and great uncle who will be missed by his family and fondly remembered by his customers. 

His funeral will take place on Monday September 19 at 11.30am at South Stoneham Cemetery. Donations to Guide Dogs UK are welcomed via funeral directors Jonathan Terry. 

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