A retailer of the year memorial award has been launched for murdered Braintree town figure Derek Salmon

Award launch - Brian Cutmore, Maggie Cross, Tracy Beale and Sue Thomson in George Yard. Picture: STEVE BAINBRIDGE

Organisers of the scheme are encouraging people to nominate anyone working in retail in Braintree town centre, for good service. The scheme will remember the former George Yard shopping centre manager who was murdered by his wife in 2002. She has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Derek Salmon Retailer of the Year Memorial Award was launched with tributes to Mr Salmon, who was also the first chairman of Braintree Town Centre Strategy Group.

Former chairman Brian Cutmore, who took over from Mr Salmon, said he was a tremendous ambassador for Braintree and it had been important for the town to have someone with his enthusiasm to promote it.

Mr Cutmore said: "He was so critical at difficult times at making this town work. I sorely miss him, he was a good friend to me as well as being great for the town."

Published Tuesday January 27, 2004

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