WIDELY-respected Bournemouth bar owner Paul Kenyon died suddenly on November 7, aged just 37.

Born in Sheffield, Mr Kenyon moved to Bournemouth ten years ago and worked as deputy manager of Elements, manager of Bliss and Chilli White, and more recently as the owner-manager of Brix & Co in Old Christchurch Road.

He was also vice-chairman of the Town Watch group for several years.

He was described by friends and colleagues as an “inspirational” manager, who was “kind and generous”.

Town centre councillor David Smith said: “Paul was a very well respected manager and operator in our town centre, a leading member of the Town Watch association and well regarded by councillors. I am sure that his loss will be deeply felt.”

Born on December 21, 1975, to Ken Kenyon and Kathleen Connors, Mr Kenyon was brought up in Sheffield with his two sisters, Helen and Emma.

He attended Howarth Junior School and Brinsworth Comprehensive School in Rotherham, during which time he joined the Sea Cadets and enjoyed sailing and similar sports.

On leaving school he tried two careers, completing an apprenticeship for working with steel rolling mills and then undertaking eight months of officer training for the Royal Marines.

However, he decided against both careers and applied for a job working behind a Rotherham bar.

A hard working and driven young man, Mr Kenyon was soon headhunted by national firm Luminar as an area manager, a job overseeing their nightclubs and bars which took him all over the country for the next few years, and eventually to Bournemouth.

Mrs Connors, his mother, said although he was very driven and work-focused he was a very caring , quiet man. A funeral service will take place on November 22 at 12pm.