Tributes have been paid to Newcastle businessman Dave Ladhar, who has died suddenly while on holiday.
Baldev Singh Ladhar - better known to friends, family and the business community as Dave, 60 - died last month and a traditional funeral service was held for him in India.
The influential North East business leader headed the Ladhar Group’s family business encompassing, land, property, retail, leisure and the care industry.
Family, friends and business associates will gather at memorial service at Newcastle Civic Centre on what would have been his ruby wedding anniversary with wife Sarah, on November 19, from 1pm to celebrate his life.
Born in Ladharan, Punjab, India, Mr Ladhar came to live in Newcastle in 1966 when he was eight.
Together with his mother, brother and two elder sisters, they joined their father, known locally as Peter, who was already settled in the West End of Newcastle, working as a door-to-door salesman in the clothing trade.
Gaining qualifications in electrical engineering and mechanics at Newcastle College, his first job was at Parsons, and during his apprenticeship he won a global competition for an engine diagnostic design he created after watching his brother John at work in a local mechanics’ garage.
He moved into retail and housing as the family business grew, following on from his father’s acquisition of their first retail business, a local shop in Daisy Hill, Newcastle.
Mr Ladhar began developing the family’s care division in 1989, which forms part of the overall care and leisure group which now employs around 3,000 people. Under the Crown Care brand, the company now operates 15 homes across the country, with three more under construction and six more in the pipeline.
Between 1999 and 2007 the family also acquired landmark leisure venues across Newcastle, as well as a number of venues from Wessex Taverns, and now own and operate bars including Redhouse, Hop and Cleaver, the Gunner Tavern and Pleased to Meet You.
Together with brother John, Mr Ladhar had spent the last 20 years expanding the business beyond the North East, to operate more than 60 bars, pubs, nightclubs and hotels around the UK, and he was also working on a care village in Daventry, which will now be carried forward by son Michael and nephew Barry Ladhar.
He was also proud of the new Sikh Temple on Cottenham Street, on which he and brother John project managed the design and build with the help of the North East Sikh community.
His brother John Ladhar said: “We have been overwhelmed with tributes and messages of condolence for Dave from the local, national and international business communities as well as family and friends.
“As a family we are utterly devastated at the loss of a dear brother, husband, father, uncle, granddad and friend who will be sadly missed by many.
“Baldev touched so many people’s lives and will continue to live on in the hearts, minds and memories of his family and all who knew and loved him.
“He was a hard but extremely fair businessman, hugely loyal and respectful to all he worked with. He had time for everyone with a remarkable and genuinely positive outlook on life.”
Son Michael said: “Family was everything to dad – sisters, daughters and grandchildren could ring any time and he would always have time.”
Mr Ladhar leaves his wife Sarah, whom he was married to for 40 years, and four children Sharon, Nicola, Michael and Penny, and 14 grandchildren.
