Yarmouth market's pea and pie stall holder to retire

From his lofty position doling out little ceramic bowls of peas his salesmanship involves an impressive performance, joshing with customers and telling them he can't believe how great they look today.

The 72-year-old, working with his son John, and others like him, are arguably the heart and soul of Great Yarmouth's market place.

Gary Salmon at the pie and pea stall on Great Yarmouth's market is all for the £3.6m redevelopment and says events like the Out There Festival, carnival, and Christmas switch-on are a boost for business. His father started the business in 1946 Picture: Liz Coates (Image: Archant)

But now it's not so busy he has joined a number of other stall holders by deciding to call it a day.

While he will not be among those moving to the town's new market development, he supports the scheme and is happy to see change.

"It does need revamping, it is very tired," he said.

"We have to redevelop, it is the only way forward.

"The worst thing to do is to stand still and do nothing."

John Salmon, 40, runs the Pie and Pea stall in Great Yarmouth outdoor market with his father, Gary. (Image: Archant)

Mr Salmon's family have been selling pies and peas with a sprinkling of mint sauce to hungry townsfolk since 1946.

He reckons it is the last of around four in the country to offer such an exclusive menu.

At one time four people worked on it but out-of-town retail, the internet, food delivery services, and now the pandemic have all hit footfall.

"No disrespect but the people coming up here are my age and upwards," he said.

"They even deliver market chips now, what's it coming to? My father used to moan about the remote control and wonder 'whatever next?'

"Christmas is not the same. We used to do all the late night shopping and even open on Boxing Day. It was all hustle and bustle."

He said a combination of his age, the prospect of signing new leases and investing in new equipment had lead to his decision.

But pea lovers need not despair as the secret recipe is being passed on to his nephew who is taking a spot in the new covered market and will continue the family tradition.

The new stall will be called Johnny's Pies and Peas, after Mr Salmon's father, and include a wider range of food.

But peas will still be served in ceramic bowls as they have been since 1946, a practice suspended for safety reasons during the height of the pandemic.

John Salmon, who has worked alongside his father for 21 years, said it would probably be hard for him to adjust.

Their last day has been confirmed as February 26.