Vintage market trader retires after 60 years

Paul Canning has had his stall at the market for 60 years

A vintage clothing stall-holder at Birmingham's Rag Market has finished his final day after 60 years.

Paul Canning, 77, said he was retiring on Tuesday, having had only two days off sick in all the time he had been at the city centre site.

He said he had met many famous people during that time, including rock legend Alice Cooper, punk band The Slits and Stray Cats, to name a few.

"I'm very happy to go," he said. "I never thought I would say that, but the time has come for me to go."

"I'm quite shocked that anyone's even noticed me going, to be honest."

He said the Edgbaston Street market, which has more than 350 stalls, was "very strict" in the early days but had gradually become more relaxed.

"Up until the present day, it's loosened up and [is] more of a free-for-all with people with stalls and what they sell now," he added.

Mr Canning's daughter Julie and his son-in-law Andrew Winters were with him on his final day and said they were very proud of him

He said it had also "changed clothes-wise" and he had seen fashions come and go, from Edwardian and Victorian, through the decades until the present day.

His daughter Julie, 59, and his son-in-law Andrew Winters, 61, from Walsall were with him on his final day.

"He's very well-known, especially with the bands that come down with jackets and buying jackets off him," his daughter said.

"I remember when I was seven years old playing under the market stall - I'm 59 now, that's a long time he's been here.

"He was one of the first to start it [selling vintage clothing]."

Mr Winters said they were both very proud as he had "done what he wished for all his life".

Mr Canning said his next chapter would include "going for long walks, reading more books, playing guitar, playing piano, catching up on movies and just enjoying the rest of my life".

"I'm just going to relax for the rest of my life. I don't want to get up at 6 in the morning any more," he said.

He thanked his customers for the years of support.

"I appreciate them and I hope they appreciate me too," he added.