It’s the end of an era as fellow traders and loyal customers bid farewell to two longstanding traders who are retiring after more than a decade at Shrewsbury Market Hall.
Graham and Sue Mann, who run Sweet Pea & Gem Leathers at the indoor market, have decided the time is right to hang up their money belts and spend more time at home with their family.
The couple, who have been trading at the market for almost 11 years, are handing over the reins of the business to Adele Stokes who will be taking over Sweet Pea & Gem Leathers from the beginning of September.
Adele is no stranger to the market, having worked on her Mum’s stall The Icing Tip and The Card Stall for almost 40 years.
Although she plans to make a few changes to the business to make it her own, Adele will be making sure Graham and Sue’s regular customers can still find the large range of hats, fascinators, scarves, belts, purses, bags, and gloves that Sweet Pea & Gem Leathers have become so well known for over the years.
She said: “Graham and Sue have built up a great reputation and business and I am delighted to be taking over Sweet Pea & Gem Leathers. I have grown up around this market, my Mum has run The Icing Tip for 38 years, but now it’s time for me to branch out on my own.
“I will be making a few changes but overall people will still be able to come to the market and buy all of the same quality goods they have come to expect from Graham & Sue. I wish them both a happy retirement, they will be missed!”
Graham Mann said: “We are really pleased that Adele will be taking over the stall, it’s nice to know that we are leaving a little bit of a legacy at the market. We would like to thank all of our fellow traders, past and present, for making our 11 years at the Market Hall so enjoyable and, of course, thank you to all of our loyal customers, many of whom have become good friends over the years. We shall miss you all.”
Mike Cox, Outdoor Recreation & Asset Manager for Shrewsbury Town Council, which runs the canopied section of the market said: “We wish Graham & Sue a very long and happy retirement. They have been a pleasure to deal with over the years and this is certainly the end of an era.”
Shrewsbury Market Hall is located under the town’s iconic clocktower and boasts a vibrant mix of eclectic stalls selling a range of goods from traditional fruit, vegetables, fish and meat to authentic Thai food, champagne and oysters, vintage wares, clothes, books, trinkets, handmade jewellery and more.
It is jointly run by Shropshire Council, which is responsible for the permanent stalls located around the perimeter of the market floor and gallery, and Shrewsbury Town Council which manages the canopied stalls in the centre.
The main trading days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with a select number of stalls and cafes open on Thursday mornings.
For more information on the Market Hall visit www.markethallshrewsbury.co.uk
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