A well known greengrocer who has served the people of St Neots for more than 40 years has finally hung up his weighing scales.

The Hunts Post: Barry Hamilton is retiring after more than 40 years as a greengrocer. Picture: ARCHANTBarry Hamilton is retiring after more than 40 years as a greengrocer. Picture: ARCHANT

Barry Hamilton, 68, has retired from Hamiltons Greengrocers, in the Cross Keys.

The shop was originally called Hamilton and Son where Barry and his father ran the shop after moving to St Neots in 1967.

Barry was only 20 when he started working at the shop and says it has been a huge part of his life.

He said: “ I’m not quite sure what I will do with myself. It would be nice to not get up at 6am everyday, six days a week but I will miss my customers. I’m not getting any younger, and this job is quite hands-on so think it is the right time to retire.

“I still think there is a place for shops like this. People like to come here, pick out their own fruit and veg and then take it home. They also get a personal experience here that they might not get somewhere else. I will really miss my regulars, some of them have been coming for the past 20 years.

“The shop will still be here, and will still be trading as Hamiltons, but will be under new ownership. I’m very happy with the two people who will be taking over, and they have even decided to keep on the staff who already work here which is really great.”

Mr Hamilton, who is very popular around St Neots, also runs a home delivery service for people in the area, where he delivers fruit and vegetables to homes around St Neots.

He estimates that he has sold millions of fruit and vegetables since he started work and has loved working in St Neots.

“I want to say ‘thank you’ to all my past and present customers who have supported me through all the good and bad times. It really has been a pleasure, but it is time I had a holiday.”