A well-respected Bradford bar owner, who represented licensees in the city for more than a decade, has died suddenly aged 64.

David Haigh, of Haigy’s Bar, Lumb Lane, championed the city’s pub trade as chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensees’ Association and later became the organisation’s honourary president.

The grandfather-of-two, who grew up in Fagley, suffered a suspected heart attack while out with friends in Bradford city centre on Saturday night.

He became licensee of Haigy’s Bar, formerly known as Arthur’s Bar, more than 20 years ago after serving as its manager in the late 1980s and lived above the premises with his wife of 41 years, Yvonne.

Mr Haigh became a well-known member of the community, even campaigning for a bus stop to be installed outside the pub to help elderly residents.

His brother-in-law Ian Foulger said: “He was a real gentleman. He would help anybody and got involved in anything he could. He was honest, genuine, you wouldn’t find a better bloke. He was very passionate about the pub trade and the damage done to it by various governments.

“The amount of phone calls we have had and people coming in to the pub, I think the whole world and his wife knew he had passed away. He will be sorely missed.”

Mr Haigh also leaves behind his daughter Tina, mother Cath, two brothers and three sisters.