Well-known Weston businessman mourned
Jim Hooper - Credit: Archant
A FORMER Weston Mercury printer who went on to launch several well-known businesses has died aged 70.
Ian Hooper – known to friends as Jim – died on June 26, just six days after celebrating the landmark birthday.
He will be known to many around town from his various business interests, which began at the age of 16 at the Mercury.
After several years working under Jack Dando, he spent some time as a sales rep before launching his first business.
Sarnies sandwich bar was opened in 1976, after Jim spent weeks travelling around the United States sourcing new sandwich ideas – including the BLT, which he claimed to have introduced to Weston.
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A few years later Jim was again ahead of the game in making early inroads into the video rental market with the launch of West Coast Video.
He would go on to begin one further business venture – Chicken Jimmy’s Fowl Food – before retiring to Winscombe 10 years ago.
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Jim became ‘a well-loved part of the village’ and is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Rachel and son Frazer.
His family said: “He was a very popular man who will be sadly missed by many people.”
