1/1 TRIBUTES have been paid to inspirational chemist and businessman Anwer Patel, one of the brothers behind the pharmacy empire Cohens. Mr Patel died in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 66. Although he will be remembered by most for the Cohens Chemist chain, Mr Patel along with his brother, Yakub were the driving force behind the opening of Essa Academy in Great Lever as part of their work to improve the life chances of young people in Bolton. Today the school, in the top 20 per cent nationally for pupil progress and oversubscribed, led tributes to Mr Patel. Andrew Cooper, chief executive of Essa Foundation Academies Trust said: “Everyone at Essa is saddened by the news of Anwer’s passing. He cared deeply about his local community and was one of the co-founders of Essa Academy and was its chair of governors for several years. When Essa Primary Academy opened in 2014 on our Lever Edge Lane site, he became chair of the trustees board.”