A WIDNES market stallholder is calling it a day after more than half a century in business.
In 1950, 15-year-old Vera Darwin arrived at the outdoor market in Widnes with a gramophone and two boxes of records to sell and set up the The Music Stall which has been serving generations of musicians ever since.
After Vera married David Darwin the business was expanded to sell musical instruments and accessories.
Sadly, Vera died in 2002, and David has decided to retire in January 2007.
Peter Phillips, a music teacher at Riverside College for six years and a professional musician for the past 29, is taking over the business.
He said: 'This is a dream come true for me. I have been a customer at the stall for over 20 years and the chance to have my own music shop is so exciting.
'I really admire the friendly business Vera and David have built over the years and I will be offering the same friendly service with an even greater product range.
'This is one of the original market stalls, it moved from the old market
some years ago to the new site here at Greenoaks.
'I hope the stall will be here for another 50 years and with the support of the local community that's a real possibility, what a fantastic achievement that would be.'
