A legendary Darlington market stall holder is celebrating his 80th birthday - as the family run greengrocer business marks 150 years of trading this year.
Robin Blair, the grandson of the founder of JJ Blair & Sons, who was a regular at the market from just a few months old, tucked under the counter while his mother worked, shows no sign of slowing down.
Launched just 12 years after Darlington Market first opened in 1863, the longstanding stall has weathered two world wars, several economic downturns and a global pandemic, all while continuing to serve people from the area.
Mr Blair, who has been at the heart of JJ Blair & Sons for his entire life, started helping out at the tender age of five, and by the time he was 15, he had left school to become more involved in the family business.
Eventually, he took the reins from his father after his retirement.
Mr Blair, who turns 80 today (Saturday, May 10) said: "I've never regretted a moment of my time in the market. It's a wonderful place and we should be using it more often.
"With the support of the town, it will be here for another 100 years.
"It's an important piece of Darlington's history and offers a unique experience that can't be found in the supermarkets.
"People can buy what they need in smaller quantities, so instead of a kilo bag of spuds you can just buy one or two – although we won't cut 'em in half mind!
"It's also essential for elderly people, as their trip to the market is often the only social interaction they'll get."
The Blair family originally started as nurserymen, growing produce to sell directly to customers from their Barmpton Lane farm, which still runs today.
Wanting to reach a larger customer base, they decided to bring their harvest to the market—a venture initially undertaken by horse and cart.
Mr Blair shares amusing tales of his early days helping out.
He remembers a particularly hot day when Bobby the horse didn't settle unless he was treated to an ice cream.
He said: "The horse lapped it up, but became accustomed to it and in the following days began getting on his hind legs in protest unless he got his ice cream.
"'Get that horse a cornett,' my grandfather would shout."
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MP's gift of a bell takes Darlington market back to the days of the 9pm bargain hour
The market bell, which used to be rung at 7pm each day to signal the start of auctioning, has recently been reinstated due to Robin's efforts.
Though it no longer signals auction at 7pm, Robin has ensured it remains in the market hall, a tribute to the decades gone by.
While Darlington Market and its operator, Market Asset Management, celebrate their longest-serving trader this week, they also welcome Shape: Patisserie and Bake, which is opening on West Row.
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