The business community has lost a thriving multiple-property owner.

John Wilkins died at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford on Friday, April 22, aged 95.

In his early career in Dover, having moved there in the post-war years, he worked in the Clark's nursery.

One his colleagues, also a Methodist, was Ray Cook who established the travel agency where Mr Wilkins eventually worked and became MD.

Mr Wilkins was the founder chairman of the now-defunct Round Table in Dover and later became a member of the Rotary Club of South Foreland.

As he built up his wealth he became a regular patron at property auctions.

At different times he ended up owning the Dickens' Corner property in Dover Market Square, usually used as a café over the years.

Mr Wilkins also had the former Co-op complex in the town's Cherry Tree Avenue. This later became the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) headquarters.

He also ended up with several shops opposite Dover Town Hall along with a number of other properties.

In addition Mr Wilkins owned the large Havenfield Hall towards the end of the Alkham Valley.

He described his occupation as property management.

A hobby of Mr Wilkins was vintage cars and at one stage he owned two or three Rolls-Royces, which he helped to restore. He and his wife Marie competed in the famous London to Brighton veteran car runs.

The couple regularly attended the Methodist Church in London Road, Dover.

Mr Wilkins and his family, at different times, lived in Leyburne Road, Dover, Folkestone, Capel-le Ferne, Barham and Canterbury where he was elected as a Conservative city councillor.

He lived in the city in his final years.

Mr Wilkins, who was born in Buckinghamshire, leaves Marie and their two sons, Jonathan and Adam, and two grandchildren.