John Papworth: ‘I got a little bit choked up a couple of times’

AFTER 51 years of selling fruit and veg in Chapel Market “come rain or shine”, an award-winning trader has retired.

For over half a century, John Papworth has woken up at 4am, driven from his home in Chigwell to Spitalfields to load his van with fresh produce before setting up his stall ready for customers at 9am.

His stand was a favourite among actors Su Pollard, Ken Parry, Angus Deayton and Peggy Mount. In December he was named market trader of the year.

Mr Papworth, 66, told the Tribune he worked at the Angel marketplace well before he got his first licence in 1973. He said: “My mum and dad had a stall in the 60s. It was just a way of life really.

“I only lived next door in White Lion Street before it got cleared in 1967 and we got moved away. As a little boy I used to go around and get the teas for people and do things like that from about nine years of age.”

When he started out Mr Papworth was selling “basic vegetables”, carrots, onions, potatoes, cauliflowers, swede and cabbage. But with everyone going to supermarkets now he’s diversified – selling produce like purple cauliflower has been crucial to survival.

He said: “When I started out, you’d get all the mums come up every day, because there was lots of housing around there. They’d buy five pounds of potatoes. The most potatoes I’ve ever sold in one day was in the hot summer of 76 when I sold 121 bags of potatoes. We were sold out by one o’clock.

Su Pollard and John’s grandson Toby at the stall during Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee

“Now if you had 20 bags of potatoes that would last you two or three weeks.”

Mr Papworth also sold merchandise around national events including the Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee and, of course, Arsenal matches. He became Arsenal’s first licensed market trader in 2001.

“In 1993 Arsenal got to two Cup finals and there was no one up there selling football stuff,” he said. “So I decided to do it. Arsenal was just starting to do well and it was fashionable for people to wear football shirts and everything from pencils to ashtrays.”

Besides the customers, many of whom have become friends, selling Gooner merch is up there with some of the highlights of his career, especially when the team was winning.

David Beckham’s mum and sister used to visit his stall when he was selling football products. The famous striker also paid him a visit, without Mr Papworth realising. He recalled: “I’ve spoke to David on quite a few occasions, not knowing who he was. He said: ‘Hello John. How are you? How’s business?’ And as he walks away people went ‘What did David Beckham say to you?’ I said ‘Oh is that who it was?’”

Mr Papworth’s final shift at the weekend was “strange” and a bit tearful, but now he’s looking forward to a cruise around the Caribbean with his family and friends.

He said: “Lots of people were coming up and there were lots of messages on Facebook. I got a little bit choked up a couple of times, with some of the messages.

“Quite a lot of people brought presents. Su Pollard bought me a goodie bag. You wouldn’t want to know what was in that. I just want to know what I’m going to do with the false nails she put in there!”

As for his plans after soaking up the sunshine in Barbados, he said: “It’s only been a few days and I can’t say yet. I’m sure my wife will find me lots of jobs to do at home that I’ve been putting off for years.”