Julia was “a stalwart figure”

the company said,

whose career with the chain in its various guises spanned 31 years.

In 1991 her shop at Lymm in Cheshire was highly commended in the OLN Off- licence of the Year awards and the following year won the Multiple Specialist category.

“All new innovations were embraced and Julia worked hard at motivating staff with new ideas, including some of her own suggestions,” said a company spokesman.