A WELL-respected businessman and Rotarian has passed away aged 89.

Donald Dixon, owner of Dixons Department Store in Whitehaven and Dunmail Park in Workington, died on October 8.

Mr Dixon took over his father William's furniture business, which was founded by his grandfather Joseph in 1882.

Between 1955  and 1979 he expanded the business from three furniture stores to a chain of seven.

He then built Dixons Department Store in Whitehaven which opened in 1980.

Owner of Dixons, Donald Dixon with the two old paintings of ships The Red Rover, left and The Betsy Bateman.Donald Dixon with the two old paintings of ships The Red Rover, left and The Betsy Bateman. (Image: MIKE McKENZIE)

He went on to develop the first privately owned out of town shopping mall in the country.

Dunmail Park in Workington was named after the last King of Cumberland, King Dunmail. In 2001 he added more shops, a car showroom and a multiplex cinema to the Workington site.

He is survived by his two children and six grandchildren.