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MarketTimesOctober2016

t David Hearn, who still works part-time as a lorry driver, has launched an arty business on Olney market selling t-shirts, cards and mugs featuring his quirky designs 37 can recall the days when he did well selling next to another fruit and veg man who brought his fresh produce in a 20-ton lorry. Now Neil is the only fruit and veg man on the market following the retirement of another long-established trader, and business is steady, but not as good as it once was. Nevertheless there is an excellent food offer on Olney market, including a bakery, a cheese man and a butcher’s van. As well as food, the general market includes something for everyone, from cards and fashion to arty gifts and collectibles. And traders say that whilst footfall isn’t what it once was, Olney remains a friendly, welcoming market where customers and traders have plenty of time to chat and exchange banter. Colin Dooley has been selling sweets on the market for the past 10 years. He is a market man through and through and sold mobility items before switching to sweets 12 years ago. “This has always been one of those lovely old markets with a friendly village atmosphere,” he said. “It’s true that it is not as busy as it used to be. But what can you do? It’s the older people that shop here and the younger generation aren’t replacing them.” Other traders enjoy the friendly atmosphere and hope that the market will improve, with more quirky lines needed to create something a little bit different on market day. David Hearn is certainly bringing something new and different to the market. A lorry driver by trade, David was encouraged to start Boats Rock Designs after friends praised his colourful, quirky artwork. “It’s not really artwork, more colourful doodles,” says David, modestly. A graphic designer has helped him digitalise them and he launched his business on Olney market this summer selling t-shirts, mugs and cards featuring his designs. “I’m still working part-time as a lorry driver, but I am doing well on this market and at boat shows,” he said. And Bob Watson is also bringing some life and colour to the market selling drinks and artisan hot cheese sandwiches from a converted 1976 Citroen HY van that was once used to trail around the south of France selling sandals. Colin Dooley has been selling sweets from his van at Olney market for the past decade


MarketTimesOctober2016
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