TRIBUTES have poured in for a “true gentleman” whose enthusiasm and dedication to St Michael’s Trading Estate has made it into the vibrant community it is now.

Clive Hayward, who co-owned St Michael’s Trading Estate with his brother Norman, died in Poole Hospital on Wednesday, January 9, aged 81 following a short illness.

A flag has being flying at half-mast at the trading estate for Mr Hayward, who was born in Bournemouth in September 1937.

He had a passion for football, which he played to a high standard representing both Dorset county and youth clubs, and left school to study architecture and quantity surveying at a practice in Christchurch.

His father, Norman Hayward Senior, bought St Michael’s Trading Estate in 1968 and the family set about transforming it into a number of units.

In his late twenties he started to work in partnership with his brother Norman as Hayward & Co to provide start-up units and work space for many local businesses and artists, which continues today.

Norman Hayward said: “Clive’s dedication to St Michael’s and its tenants over more than 30 years is perhaps the main reason that the estate not only has survived, but now has the unique identity and diversity of mix of traders that has taken its reputation way beyond west Dorset.

“He brought a uniqueness to the estate which no one else could have done.”

Hayward & Co previously submitted plans to refurbish and redevelop the trading estate, with the most recent project being submitted to planners in 2016.

It included a mix of houses and flats amongst work spaces and units, which was given outline planning permission by West Dorset District Council in 2017.

Unfortunately, in July last year, a fire devastated part of the trading estate’s Edward Building, which was home to many independent businesses, art studios and shops.

Martin Ridley, of Hayward & Co who worked alongside Clive, said: “We shall all miss Clive’s dedication to the estate and his concern for the wellbeing of all our tenants and their businesses, always emphasising that as responsible landlords, Hayward & Co should do all it can to support each of the businesses that trade here.

“He leaves the legacy of an estate that has a strong sense of community and a diverse mix of businesses and a unique atmosphere and environment, much of which has been generated by Clive’s enthusiasm and his 30 years or more running the estate office.

“We feel sure that in the coming weeks the contribution that Clive made to the survival of the estate over 51 years will be recognised.

“He leaves a son and daughter and two granddaughters.

“We are collecting together any little stories or anecdotes that people have that remind them – and us – of Clive and the unique value he brought to St Michael’s and its tenants.

“If you have a particular memory, could you either drop it in to the estate office or ping us through an email with your memories. All contributions greatly received.”

Many tenants on the estate have paid tribute to Mr Hayward.

Richard Payne-Withers, who owns Alleyways Antiques on the site and Bridport Antiques, said: “I will miss him filling in holes and doing the odd bit of painting because he is just so funny, he was really hands on.

“He managed the site for donkeys’ years, but I have known him for eight years, he became a friend and he is going to be really sadly missed.

“He held the St Michael’s estate together and it didn’t matter what it was, he would be out there doing it. I’ve seen him on a Sunday filling pot holes – he was a great man.

“He loved the estate with a passion and liked everybody on it, he looked after everybody, he helped businesses when they needed it. Nothing was ever too much trouble.”

Tracy Caden of Salvage Style called Mr Hayward the “voice of reason” on the estate and no one had a bad word to say about him.

She said: “He was a well-loved man on this estate. He was very hard working, helped everybody, he was kind, very generous and his legacy is that no one had a bad word to say about him.

“He has touched so many people in so many different ways and he was a very funny man.

“He will be sorely missed, he was the voice of reason on this estate and people genuinely liked him.

“He was reliable, you could always see him on the estate and everyone has the nicest things to say about him.”

Caroline Ireland, who was a tenant in the artists’ studios, also paid tribute to “a true gentleman who helped everyone”.