Crowds line the streets of Chorley as '˜Mr Big Stuff' Kurt Smith is laid to rest

A Lancashire town ground to a temporary halt in tribute to a well-known nightclub and pub owner who died aged 58.
The funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in ChorleyThe funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in Chorley
The funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in Chorley

Crowds lined the streets of Chorley as entrepeneur Kurt Smith’s funeral procession wound its way through the town.

Mr Smith died after he was struck by a train in Euxton, on Sunday November 6.

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Mr Smith, who lived in Charnock Richard, ran the popular Applejax nightclub in Chorley town centre for many years.

The funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in ChorleyThe funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in Chorley
The funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in Chorley

He was also connected with the Rose and Crown pub, on St Thomas’s Road, and the Red Herring in Coppull.

St George’s Church in Chorley was packed todayas hundreds of people attended his funeral.

Mr Smith leaves a widow Andrea and daughter Danielle.

His horse-drawn hearse had set off from Charnock Richard earlier and paused outside the Rose and Crown for a time where crowds stood silently.

Farewell: There was a huge turnout for the funeral of club boss Kurt SmithFarewell: There was a huge turnout for the funeral of club boss Kurt Smith
Farewell: There was a huge turnout for the funeral of club boss Kurt Smith
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Hunt members on horseback were also part of the procession, reflecting his love of riding.

In church, The Rev Timothy Wilby led the service as family and friends paid tribute.

Mr Smith’s long-time friend Paul “K” Wilkins told how they became friends when he was DJ-ing at the Howard Arms in Whittle-le-Woods.

They eventually ended up in business together, and Mr Wilkins recalled how they tossed a coin to decide which one of them would run a pub and which one would run a nightclub.

The funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in ChorleyThe funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in Chorley
The funeral of Kurt Smith was a popular, well known club and pub owner in Chorley
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He told mourners: “Let’s all raise a glass to the best ‘mein host’ this town has ever seen.”

Mr Smith’s daughter Dani said the family was grateful for all the messages and support they had received.

She said her father “would brighten up whatever place he walked into.”

She said she was devastated and would miss him always.

A private family service was held later at Charnock Richard Crematorium.

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