One of Epsom’s best-known personalities and most successful businessmen has died.

Roy Richmond, chairman of Epsom Coaches Group, died at Epsom Hospital on January 23 aged 85 after a 20-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Mr Richmond, famous for inventing the hopper bus, rebuilt the business after the Second World War and is credited with being the driving force behind the company’s success, becoming one of the most respected and famous figures in British transport.

Steve Whiteway, commercial director of Epsom Coaches Group, said: “He really was Mr Epsom. He was born and bred here and was a strong community man who was involved in a lot of different things.

“He was involved in the business to the end and would often come by and have a say on how things were going.

“He was a very kind man and always had a good word for everyone and will be badly missed.”

Mr Richmond was also a well-known philanthropist who funded the Butterfly Appeal, which is credited with building and maintaining a cancer care centre at Epsom Hospital.

Dr Lydia Jones, clinical director of cancer services at the trust, said: “It was with great sadness that we learned Roy had passed away.

“Roy, working with his wife Nancy, spent many years raising funds for cancer patients and his commitment has had a magnificent effect on services for Epsom Hospital patients.

“The opening of the Macmillan Butterfly Cancer Centre in 2001 was only possible thanks to the substantial contribution from the Butterfly Appeal.”

Epsom Coaches was originally founded by his father in 1920, but Mr Richmond was seen by many as being its most influential figure.

He pioneered the use of smaller “hopper” buses to serve side-roads, at a time when transport links were limited to A-roads – a move that became a huge success and was rolled out across the UK.

In November 1988 he was made an MBE for his contribution to the bus and coach industry.

He also became the youngest president of the Epsom Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Epsom and Ewell Silver Band and Epsom Rotary Club leading to him becoming an honorary freeman of the borough of Epsom and Ewell in 1991.

He is survived by his second wife Nancy, sons Christopher and Andrew and daughter Rosemary.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.

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