Final market day for long-standing stall holders

Roger Boon, from Boon’s Hosiery, has been part of the Loughborough market for over 54 years.

He is swapping the early morning starts for retirement and will trade for the last time on Saturday June 26.

The Boon family first started trading in Loughborough in the 1940s as a mobile book seller before moving into selling hosiery and knitting wool.

The market stall Boon’s was set-up in 1947, the same year Roger was born.

They also had three other shops in Loughborough.

At the age of 15, Roger headed to Sea School on the Vindicatrix near Bristol where he worked on five ships. He returned to Loughborough in 1967 to help with the family business.

In 1980, his parents handed him the reins to the business which he has proudly kept going for over 40 years.

Roger says he is looking forward to spending time with the family but will miss life on the market and his customers who have supported his business for decades.

Roger Boon said: “I have family and friends all over the country and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them, but I will definitely miss seeing my customers and not having to get up at 5am for market days will also be a nice bonus!

“I have loved trading on Loughborough Market for so many years. From the banter with other traders to having weekly chats with my regular customers. I would like to thank everyone who has already popped by to stock up on their favourite products or to just wish me well on my retirement.

“Being a market trader really is like no other job and it has been a real privilege."

Cllr Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough said: “Boon's has been part of Loughborough’s history for 74 years. First with the shops and then the market stall. Roger is a familiar face on the market, and we know many people will miss his stall.

“However, 54 years on the market is a fantastic achievement and he certainly deserves to put his feet up and spend more time with his family.

“On behalf of the Council and visitors to Loughborough Market, I would like to thank Roger for being part of our wonderful market for so many years and wish him well on his retirement.”