Tributes paid following death of Newbury business figure, Peter Atkinson

At the time of his death, Mr Atkinson, aged 72, of Shepherds Mount, Compton, was a member and previous president of the West Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Newbury’s Town centre Partnership, of which he was a previous chairman.
He is also known for having been a former director at the Newbury-based pharmaceutical company, Bayer, and an avid supporter of plans to turn Newbury into a Business Improvement District (BID).
Current president of the West Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Ian Vickerage, described Mr Atkinson as a man who did not beat around the bush when seeking the truth - something which he said was an extremely important quality as a member of the chamber.
Mr Vickerage said: "It is hard to imagine how we can replace him.
"He was so knowledgeable in his areas of expertise.
"He is somebody you are not going to forget in a hurry.
"His level of commitment was total and that is going to be hard to replace."
Newbury’s BID development manager, Russell Downing, said that Mr Atkinson was instrumental in setting up the BID process some two years ago.
He said: "It's fair to say that without Peter the BID would not be here today."
Mr Atkinson worked for Bayer from 1962, when he was originally based in Manchester, until 2001 when he retired as Corporate Services Director in charge of logistics, procurement and facilities.
Head of corporate communications at Bayer, Newbury, and former West Berkshire Chamber of Commerce president, Steve Painter, said: "Bayer’s standing and involvement in the local community owes much to Peter’s early work to introduce and represent the company – valuable links which he continued to facilitate and support."
Mr Atkinson was standing in as chairman of the Town Centre Partnership while Liz Chandler took over as chairwoman of the BID steering group.
She said: “We will remember Pete as a proud, private and courageous man with a remarkable memory for detail and a particular tenacity to secure a vibrant future for Newbury.
“His accent may have been pure Mancunian but his passion and drive was very much aimed at a local level and he was instrumental in the development of our town’s Business Improvement District application.
“His input and influence over the last decade has been immense and he will be sadly missed by all members of the Town Centre Partnership, both past and present."
Deputy leader of West Berkshire Council, Pamela Bale, (Con, Pangbourne) said: "Peter will be much missed.
"He played a major role in the success of many voluntary organisations and activities in West Berkshire, including being vice chairman of the West Berkshire Partnership.
"He was a tireless worker.
"Peter was always a positive supporter of the area, and keen to ensure we all worked together to achieve the best outcomes."
Mr Atkinson, whose wife Sandra died last year, is survived by his son Mike and daughter Judy.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, March 1, at West Berkshire Crematorium, at 10.30am.