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Obituary: Barry Digby

Published: 6 January 2010
Barry Digby, the former advertisement manager and then publisher of DIY Superstore magazine, died on Monday January 4. He was 65.
Mr Digby became a high-profile industry figure in the 1980s as advertisement manager of DIY Superstore, and also of its sister publication Hardware Independent until it ceased publication in the mid-1980s. When the magazine's owner Trade Media Ltd put DIY Superstore up for sale in the late 1980s, he bought the title and set up a company to publish it, naming the business after his dog: Wesley Barker.

He then sold DIY Superstore to Faversham House Group in 1993, and continued to work with FHG as a consultant for several years. DIY Superstore remained a part of the FHG home improvement portfolio alongside Hardware & Garden Review until it too ceased publication in 2004.

Mr Digby subsequently worked as a sales consultant on the DIY & Home Improvement Show, before retiring from the media world and setting up a bed-and-breakfast business at Stow on the Wold with his wife Linda.

The funeral is at mid-day on Wednesday January 13, at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-on-Avon.

Comments

23 October 2017 08:24:40
John Evans

Did anyone know Barry was a super-talented jazz drummer? He played drums in our jazz group, the Digby Evans Jazz Trio, in the late 1980s. He had a great technqiue and a real passion for making music. The group split when I left the area in the early '90s. Our last gig was playing at the Bank of England! Bless you Barry – you were a great bandmate and a good friend. My thoughts and condolences to Linda, Barry's lovely wife.

Published prior to March 2014
By Shirley O'Grady
Just to say that Barry was a lovely man as his wife Linda, we stayed in their B & B a few time when I was previously married as we used to go to Stow a lot to visit my ex's mum, what a lovely couple and I was very shocked to hear of his death. Shirley
Published prior to March 2014
By Caroline
Dearest Barry (uncle bathroom)how sad we are that you are gone. You always made us laugh. The world will be less bright now you are no longer in it.
We will Miss you.
Published prior to March 2014
By Mary Aston
So very sad to hear that Barry Digby has passed away.I remember Barry from our early days in the Industry.A nice guy and a gentleman.My sincere condolences to his family.
Published prior to March 2014
By Bernard & Rosa
We met Barry when they moved to Stratford. He was a really nice man, and we will miss his lovely warm smile. We only saw him two weeks ago, and we can not believe how quicky his health deteriorated. Rest in Peace Barry, you will be greatly missed.
Published prior to March 2014
By Marisha Romer
Barry Digby was a dearly loved figure in our industry who did much to build the DIY industry. He pioneered the trade publishing media for DIY and Hardware decades ago; his impact was significant. Most of all, he made everyone he met and knew feel appreciated and valued. His encyclopedic memory constantly amazed me. His genuine kindness shone like a light from inside him. Rest in Peace Barry, you will be missed.
Published prior to March 2014
By John
Sad news to hear about Barry Digby. He was one of the industry's genuine nice guys and always had a smile whenever you met him.
RIP

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