Dedicated shopkeeper who served community for decades dies

Wales Online

30-06-2025

Dedicated shopkeeper who served community for decades dies
Colin Lightfoot ran his shop for more than half a century and has been described as 'one of a kind'
Colin Lightfoot has sadly died
(Image: Colin's Cards )
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved shopkeeper who served a Swansea community for more than half a century. Colin Lightfoot had traded in the Manselton area of the city for more than 50 years.
He was initially a cobbler before diversifying and becoming a specialist greeting card shop since the early 1980s. Based in Elgin Street his old-school traditional-feel shop, which feels not too dissimilar inside to that seen in the TV show Open All Hours, has become every bit as much of a community as it is a business with customers treated as Mr Lightfoot's friends when they walked in.
He took a step back from his duties back in 2020 leaving now-owner Jo Brooks in charge. Mr Lightfoot had battled dementia and died peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, aged 86. A book of condolence has been opened in his memory inside the shop with the countless comments left inside testament to how well he was thought of.
A notice is in the window of Colin's Cards informing customers of his passing
(Image: Robert Dalling / WalesOnline )
"What a true gentleman and such a great man to our community," one person wrote. Another added: "Colin was one of a kind."
Another message read: "What a privilege to have known a true gent. Will be sadly missed in the area."
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Another customer wrote: "What a lovely chap. We had many chats that always ended with a laugh. It was a pleasure to know you."
There is a book of condolence inside for customers to sign
(Image: Robert Dalling / WalesOnline )
Another added: "Everyone loved him."
It all began for Mr Lightfoot when he had a little garage trade near St Michael's Church before he moved to Manselton in a corner unit opposite where the shop is now. He then moved across to the current venue 42 years ago where he remained.
Outside Colin's shop in Elgin Street in Manselton in the 1980s
(Image: Colin's Cards )
He would go above and beyond for his customers and if he did not have a particular card in stock that they wanted he would find it within 48 hours.
How it looks inside Colin's Cards today
(Image: Robert Dalling / WalesOnline )
Mr Lightfoot played football in his younger days for Bryndeg United and competed in a final at the old Vetch Field in 1964 and scored a goal. He went on to manage the club and they won the league in 1979-80. He would also play bowls for the Old Landorians.
Colin, bottom, second right, pictured playing at the old Vetch Field with Brynteg United
(Image: Colin's Cards )
He was close friends with the late Howard Lloyd who would help him out at the shop and regularly take him on warehouse runs to get his stock in Bristol on Sundays.
Ms Brooks said: "He has been a character and people loved him, just absolutely loved him.
"Through lockdown people would come and knock on his door on a Sunday and bring him a dinner – he'd have them all piled up because people were so kind to him. That's the sort of person he was – he was a gentleman.
Cards were once priced at 15p
(Image: Colin's Cards )
"He never took a day off, he never went anywhere – he was afraid that his customers wouldn't come back if he wasn't here. His customers were his life and the shop was his life.
"For me Colin was a good friend. He was funny.
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"I loved the way that he was so brutally honest but just an all-round lovely gentleman. Everybody thought they were Colin's only friend – that's how he made them feel.
"He was a very private man, and you wouldn't know much about his life but he'd know a lot about everybody else and about everything like sport and so many different things.
Colin went on to manage the team
(Image: Colin's Cards )
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"The business is still going under the name Colin's Cards – I could never have called it anything else.
"There will always be that connection to him. Colin's customers are very loyal and keep coming back and we'd like some new customers to come along too. It is a community hub and I like to think that we've kept the essence of Colin going."
One of the last photos taken of Colin
(Image: Colin's Cards )
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Denise O'Sullivan once worked for Mr Lightfoot during his time as a cobbler. Recalling her memories of him while calling into the shop she said: "He was a good man. This was a very important community to Colin. He played a big contribution to Manselton."
Mr Lightfoot's funeral takes place on Tuesday, July 8, at 2pm at Swansea crematorium. His funeral cortege will depart from the shop.