City businessman Charles Lambie dies aged 47
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by Sian Napier
snapier@thekmgroup.co.uk
Businessman Charles Lambie, who turned
Canterbury’s Westgate Towers and former city jail in Pound Lane
into a popular visitor attraction, died suddenly on Saturday at his
home in London. He was 47.
A graduate in geography from Kent University,
Canterbury, he had lived in the city for many years and also had a
home in the Westgate Gardens. His background was in property and
estate management and he was a very well known and popular
businessman. At the time of his death he was chairman of the
trustees of Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
He already owned the city jail and then took
over the Westgate Towers on a lease from Canterbury council after
the authority said it could no longer afford to keep the building
open.
Just before he died Mr Lambie had put his
house in the Westgate Gardens up for sale. The historic 17th
century former mill house which he bought three years ago was
meticulously renovated by him but he said he had other projects he
wanted to pursue.
Bob Jones, chairman of Canterbury City
Partnership, said he was shocked and devastated to learn of Mr
Lambie’s death.
“Charles was such a positive influence in the
city and this is a tragic loss to his family and to Canterbury,” Mr
Jones said.
“Many people will be very upset by this. He
was passionate about Canterbury and made a real impact on the city
which in some way needs to be remembered. He was an absolutely
charming man and if the word gentleman applied to anyone it applied
to Charles. He was one of the really good people.”
Mr Lambie leaves a wife Georgie.
See this week's Gazette for full tributes and
reaction.
Monday, January 23 2012
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