A much-loved Hatfield market trader has made the "heart-breaking" decision to close his stall after 45 years of trading.

John 'The Wool Man' Gregory set up his wool stall in the 1970s and has been selling on Hatfield Market ever since, but after more than four decades he has decided to call it a day.

On Wednesday morning, regulars customers celebrated his time on the market, with John receiving Guinness, an engraved tankard from Hatfield Town Council thanking him for his years of service, and a cake kindly donated by Simmons.

After moving to the town from London in the 1960s, John admitted to falling in love with Hatfield, saying: "Honestly, you can tell from the amount of years I’ve been here, I’ve loved the place.

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"And even though I wasn't born in Hatfield, I’m Hatfield through and through. Back in the sixties they were regenerating where I live in Islington and families were moving out.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Customers flocked to say their goodbyes to John.Customers flocked to say their goodbyes to John. (Image: Hatfield Town Council)

"Hatfield, at the time, was a new town and my mum fell in love with it - and I followed and fell in love with the place as well. The people were lovely.

"It’s been a great part of my life. Thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it."

His departure from the market is a sad one though, with John adding: "It’s heart-breaking, really.

"This Saturday is my very last day and I’ve loved my working life, I love the people there and I love the way the market is run. But, for me, at the present time, it’s the right thing to do."

                                                                                                                                

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As for what's next, John isn't quite sure, but he is still keen to come back to his beloved Hatfield.

"I don’t know what's next yet, I’ve not got a clue," he said. 

"Hopefully maybe I’ll find a couple of jobs in the market industry in London - because I can still use my mouth, as you probably have realised.

"But, really, the world is my oyster. I might pop back to Hatfield for a cup of tea in a couple of months, but I might be halfway round the world by then."