'Absolute diamond of a fella': Remembering a local legend – ‘Mr Skegness’
Tributes have been paid to a local legend, fondly known as ‘Mr Skegness’, following his passing at the age of 94.
Ken Scrimshaw died peacefully on November 30 at Seathorne Court, Winthorpe.
Known to generations of Skegness residents, visitors, and beyond, he leaves behind a legacy of energy, enterprise, and a mischievous sense of fun that made him unforgettable.
Ken’s story began in the 1940s and 1950s, helping his mother run a guesthouse that hosted musicians and performers entertaining the busy summer crowds — first in town, later at Butlin’s. Those early days sparked a lifelong love of the hustle and bustle of seaside life.
In the 1960s, Ken launched a jukebox business, which eventually saw nearly 90 jukeboxes spinning across Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and further afield. He later turned his entrepreneurial flair to a teddy bear shop near The Clock Tower, where he entertained locals and visitors alike through the late 1970s and 1980s. It was there, in 1983, that he coined the term “SkegVegas” — a name that has become synonymous with the town’s playful, festive identity.
Even in his later years, Ken could be found driving thousands of miles up and down the east coast, bringing his wares and his energy to towns far and wide, well into his late 80s.
From the jukeboxes to the teddy bears, from SkegVegas to seaside smiles, Ken had a knack for leaving an impression — a twinkle in his eye and a story for every corner of Skegness.
“What a life, what a legacy,” as one reader put it. Another commented: “Absolute diamond of a fella – a real worker right till the end.”
Funeral details will follow once arrangements have been made.