Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Shoe shop owner remembered for kindness and generosity
Roger, 87, ran city footwear store thought to be oldest in England
Roger Bickerton put the shine on the shoe business as the owner of what was believed the country’s oldest footwear shop. The retired businessman, who has died aged 87, ran Kennedy’s in Sun Street for more than 50 years.
He began working at the shop, which first opened in 1856, with his father, Harold, and took over the running of the business following his death.
But he was forced to close it in 2017 and put the building up for sale when none of his descendants, who do not live locally and have other careers, were interested in taking it on.
At the time, Roger described it as a “very emotional” decision and the “end of an era”. The shop was Canterbury’s oldest surviving family business.
Shoes were still being made and repaired on-site in the 1950s. They were wholesaled to outlying village shops and delivered by bike until the firm bought a van.
The firm also had a contract with the Department of Trade to supply Wellington boots across the county and down as far as Rye.
In his later years, Roger and wife Jenny had stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business, which was managed for him by Debbie Howland.
He was well known and respected in the city, having been born and bred in Canterbury, attending St Edmund’s School.
Roger did his National Service in the RAF and worked in insurance, before joining his father in the shoe business.
A past president of the Rotary Club of Canterbury, holding the reigns in 2002/03, he also dedicated much time to raising money for good causes.
In 2007, he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship for his outstanding service to Rotary and the Canterbury community, and in 2021 he was appointed an honorary life member of the club in recognition of his immense contribution.
President Stephen Thompson says he will be greatly missed by everyone in Rotary. “Recently we were delighted to award Roger with a long-service certificate for 55 years of service on the occasion of our centenary,” he said.
Past president Philip Abbott added: “He was a big part of Canterbury in so many ways, and many of us are indebted to him.”
Another past president, John Hill, described Roger as a “mainstay of the club and a “fount of all wisdom”.
“His kindness will be greatly missed,” he added.
Roger had been married to Jenny, who died in 2018, for 55 years.
The couple lived in Bridge, but 18 months ago Roger moved into a care home in Surrey to be near his daughter, Zoe.
His son, Robin, says the family are deeply saddened by his death.
“He missed our mum terribly and had become quite frail in recent years, to the point that he couldn’t care for himself, “he said.
“But he settled very well into the home and made new friends, and got busy organising things
like quizzes and even getting croissants on the breakfast menu.
“He was just a very kind, caring, warm and generous person, and we all adored him, as he did us.”
Roger died on February 16, and is survived by Robin and Zoe, as well as grandchildren Holly, Sam and George.
His funeral will be held at Guildford Crematorium at 11.15am on Monday, March 21. Any donations in his memory can be made to Versus Arthritis, as he was a sufferer for many years.