As reported in The Cornishman/West Britonhttp://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Hayle-greengrocer-closes-shop-40-years-service/story-19588022-detail/story.html

Hayle greengrocer closes shop after 40 years service

Friday, August 02, 2013

The Cornishman

A SHOP owner has served his last customer in Hayle after more than four decades.

Colin Pay, 69, closed his fruit and vegetable shop at Pratts Market on Monday after working six days a week for more than 40 years.

Hayle. Colin Pay stocks the shelves of Colin's Fruit & Veg for the last time as he prepares for retirement after 42 years. PZPM20130727A-003_C.JPG

Colin, from Angarrack, started out selling a few tomatoes on a stall outside the market.

"I sold all of them in about an hour. I thought to myself, 'right, this is what I'm going to do now'," he said. "I started small with a lot of local produce."

He was selling ice cream for a wholesale company but when he became aware the shop was available he jumped at the opportunity to start his own business.

He felt the Hayle community have supported him and he was grateful to his loyal customers.

He said: "I very much enjoy my job. I couldn't have done it for this long otherwise. I like the stuff I sell and meeting the people. I have had lots of cards and people have come in to say goodbye; made me feel quite emotional really."

The rise in the number of supermarkets in Hayle and the increasingly hard winters have taken their toll though, he said.

Alan Lincoln worked alongside him for 35 years and left recently to find other employment following Colin's retirement announcement.

He is looking forward to spending time with wife Sheila and daughter Kelly.