Albert Duesbury, former chairman of the Yorkshire Independent Grocers’ Association and ACS National council member, has died while on holiday in Italy. He was well-known as a passionate and tireless supporter of independent retailers.

Duesbury began his career running an independent shop in Huddersfield. He played an integral role in setting up and running the Huddersfield Grocers’ Association. When it merged with the Yorkshire and Humberside Grocers’ Association and the York Independent Shopkeepers’ Association in 1993 to form YIGA, he became chairman, retiring two years ago.