Tributes paid to Worcestershire entrepreneur Colin Cooke

Colin Cooke, who was born in Crabbs Cross in 1923, died at the age of 102 on Thursday, October 1.

According to his great-niece Paula Tulloch, Colin was best known as the owner of several businesses, including the high-end women's boutique store, Josephine's, on Evesham Street.

Colin was also known for his vision to open a 50-acre zoo in Redditch that would feature lions and giraffes as its top attraction.

The plans for the zoo were an offshoot of another of his businesses, Cookes Pets Ltd, which saw Colin import exotic birds and animals and turn his house on Glover Street into a menagerie.

Paula says that at one point, her great-uncle had a 'fully grown' leopard living in his home.

As part of his plans for the zoo, Colin invited local councillors to his lion enclosure where Paula says they watched in 'disbelief' as he walked in and gave the lion a 'big hug'.

(Image: Supplied)

Planning permission for the zoo was initially granted at a site near Abbey Stadium, but was later rescinded in favour of a crematorium.

Colin's animals eventually outgrew the confines of Glover Street and the family relocated to Norton, where he built enclosures for his exotic animals, including his lioness.

Colin eventually closed the business down and rehomed his animals, but, according to Paula, not before he won the prize for best dressed shop window in Redditch, where he presented a leopard in the window of Josephine's.

After the death of her much-loved great-uncle, Paula called Colin 'one-of-a-kind '.

She said: "Colin was an animal lover and would never support animal cruelty.

"Colin was one of a kind; his love for animals, above all else, shone through.

"He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends."

Colin was the youngest of eight children and would go on to have four children with his wife Emma.

Colin has a number of grandchildren and three great-grandchildren that Paula says he 'doted on'.