A Lichfield market trader is retiring after 42 years.
David Cross has sold men’s clothing from the same pitch on Market Square over the past four decades after following in his father’s footsteps.
He explained:
“I started in August 1968 and my dad was already here. He was a market trader from 1951 until he retired in 1982, when he was 65. I could never have worked for anyone else – this way you either stand or fall on your own efforts.
“In these difficult economic times, there are huge benefits for Lichfield to offer independent small trading, and not just the usual high street shops you see everywhere, it is the way forward for a city.
“We like to offer a personal service and repartee, the vast majority of people I sell to are people that come on a regular basis. There’s a lot of banter on the market and I’ve enjoyed meeting so many people.
“Many things have changed over the years but Lichfield has always been a good place to trade and is a delightful place to come, there are a lot of delightful people here.”
Shoppers will get the chance to say farewell to David when he pitches up his stall for the last time on December 17.