Tributes to popular trader Mike’s Carpets after his death aged 79

Tributes have been paid to a popular carpet salesman known for his 1980s TV adverts following his death aged 79.

Batley-born Mike Smith, the driving force behind the Mike’s Carpets chain of businesses, became a household name across Yorkshire with his colourful TV adverts.

Filmed at his carpet stall in Kirkgate Market and shop in Armley, the adverts led to him becoming one of the most recognisable faces on Yorkshire Television.

Tony Hale, a friend of Mr Smith’s for more than 25 years, said the “shrewd businessman” would be remembered for his laugh and his jokes.

“His jokes were horrific – only he found them amusing,” Mr Hale recalled fondly.

The pair were initially business rivals before becoming friends and working together.

Mr Hale said people would remember him for the “daisy carpet” he sold which “really took off in the 80s and 90s”.

“He used to sell rolls of it. It was a common carpet at the time, just like a little floral design.”

Mr Hale remembered seeing his friend performing at pubs and clubs in West Yorkshire during the 1990s, telling jokes and playing songs on his keyboard.

Comedian Billy Pearce also paid tribute and said in a social media post that he had “lost a true friend”.

“I’m in shock at the passing of my good friend Mike Smith, founder of Mike’s Carpets in Leeds.

“Mike helped me so much over the years and the advice he gave was the best.”

Mr Smith’s wife Carol told ITV Calendar he suffered heart failure – a condition he had been living with for six months – and had died earlier this week.

The businessman first started selling carpets at Leeds Market in 1970 and later moved into a former church in Armley, which was emblazoned with large signs advertising Mike’s Carpets.

He opened a number of other stores including shops in Bradford, Brighouse and Morley.

Discussing the key to his success last year, he said the art of a sale included “giving good service” to customers, and “a product at the right price”.

“Don’t give them any porky pies,” he added.

In another tribute, colleague Furkan Sharif described him as “really nice person to be around”.

Mr Sharif took over Mr Smith’s Armley store in 2022 but continued to work with him until just a few weeks ago.

He said: “He was so much fun. He defined a new way of doing things, plus he was never afraid of doing something new – that’s what being an entrepreneur is.”