Tribute to Jim Smith of Binton and Broadway, a former market trader at Birmingham’s famous Bull Ring

FAMILY tributes have been paid to colorful and charismatic former Birmingham market trader James (Jim) Michael Smith of Binton, who died on April 24 aged 87.

Jim ran a successful market stall and shop in the Bull Ring selling clothing in the 1970s and 80s. He was born on 18 December 1936 in London’s East End and came to Birmingham in the 1960s with his ex-wife Deb to a new beginning begins.

He started working for Harry Morell at the Rainbow Casino before creating his own nightclub, The Fly de Les. They had two children, Elsa and Little Jim.

Born into poverty to Elsie and Walter, the youngest of four boys, Jim attended a convent school but left with only basic reading and writing skills. He was good at sport, particularly football, and played for several local teams, including the London Schoolboys.

At the age of 17, an army doctor revealed that Jim had tuberculosis. This fulfilled his sporting ambitions and he was immediately hospitalized. He remembered family members visiting to say goodbye.

Fortunately for Jim, he received pioneering surgery to remove most of his lung by eminent thoracic surgeon Geoffrey Flavell. He needed another four years at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford to recover.

Jim revisited the hospital in 2022 and remembered the balcony where he hung out in all weathers. He teared up as he pointed to where his mother used to sit and wave at her visits fortnightly as she waited for the doors to open.

After separating from Deb in the early 90’s, Jim settled in Binton where he enjoyed spending time with grandchildren Alex and Frances. Semi-retired and then retired, golf played a lot. They also enjoyed frequent trips to Scotland and Cornwall.

His great loves were Tottenham Hotspur, watching snooker and boxing. He also had a passion for sandwiches, cheese and onion crisps, Chas and Dave, Costa flat whites, the BBC TV program Only Fools and Horses.

In later years, Jim found joy and new friendships with Sporting Memories, a group of elderly people with dementia and their families in Stratford who meet weekly for quizzes and sporting activities.

He spent his last years at Brompton House Care Home, Broadway, where on better days he was said to be asking for a car, a passport and some money. He made deals with female caretakers, only agreeing to take his tablets in exchange for a kiss.

The family is very grateful for the kindness, care and dignity the staff gave him as he passed away.

His daughter, Elsa Ford, said: “Enduring friendship was a hallmark throughout his life.

“He understood people, he felt them deeply. He made him funny, generous and thoughtful. He was a brilliant father and I will miss him.”

His life was commemorated with a funeral Mass held at Olton Friary, Solihull, on 22 May.