Market trader passes stall to fourth generation

Colin Garner has been a fruit and veg seller at Reeth Market in North Yorkshire since he was 14

A North Yorkshire market trader who has worked on stalls since he was 14 is passing on his trade to the fourth generation of his family.

Colin Garner, 76, officially retired last weekend but his grandson Jack William has taken over so the fruit and vegetable business will remain "in their blood".

Mr Garner started working for his father at Reeth Market near Richmond in 1962 and said it had been a "lovely life".

He told the BBC: "Everyone here knows me and I'm a big part of the community."

His grandson Mr William, 22, started working for him five years ago was doing a "fantastic job", Mr Garner said.

"All the customers here like him, and that's so important," he said.

Mr Garner, whose son and son-in-law also worked on the stall, said: "I feel sad and very emotional but I will get used to it.

"It still feels in the family, and the business will still be in the Garner blood.

"I've never done another day's work and I am 76 now, it's just something I have always done."

Mr Garner, whose father started out as a costermonger - or street trader - in 1949, recalled that in the beginning all he sold was "old potatoes".

"We didn't sell peppers or courgettes or broccoli, so things are very different now."

Colin Garner (third from right) with friends and family at his Reeth Market stall

He said proposals by North Yorkshire Council to make traders buy, bring and put up their own stalls were "out of order".

Mr Garner said: "The council just want money, it's not bothered about the community.

"I think it's wrong putting the burden on traders to carry their own stalls if they cannot physically do it.

"I hope the plans are dropped."

The council previously said the proposal was about making markets across the county cost effective, but that it would "work with traders and listen to their concerns".

Mr Garner said markets "without a doubt" still played an important role in the community.

He added: "I chat away to customers, everyone knows me and it's wonderful."

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