'Visionary' designer Sir Terence Conran dies aged 88

Designer, retailer and restaurateur Sir Terence Conran has died aged 88, his family said in a statement.

Born in Kingston upon Thames in 1931, Sir Terence began his career making and selling furniture in London.

He went on to open restaurants across the capital before launching Habitat in 1964.

In a statement released on Saturday, his family said he "passed away peacefully today at his Barton Court home".

Sir Terence Conran, Designer and Founder of Habitat, has died aged 88. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

They described the Design Museum founder as a "visionary who enjoyed an extraordinary life and career".

The statement went on: "From the late forties to the present day, his energy and creativity thrived in his shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels and through his many design, architecture and furniture making businesses.

"Founding The Design Museum in London was one of his proudest moments and through its endeavours he remained a relentless champion of the importance of education to young people in the creative industries."

The statement added: "Sir Terence enjoyed a remarkable life to the full and always maintained that his work never felt like a job - everything he did for business he would have done for pleasure."

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