A BOLTON Market employee has been given a lifetime achievement award for his long service to the industry.

David Worrall, aged 58, received his lifetime honorary membership of the National Association of British Markets Authority (NABMA) at a ceremony in the Midlands on Monday, in recognition of his 37 years working across a variety of markets.

Born in Bury, David attended Canon Slade School before starting work on his hometown market in 1979, and becoming manager at Accrington Market four years later.

He eventually moved to Bolton Market in 1994 as Assistant General Manager, and has been there ever since, witnessing three major refurbishments along with a host of other changes.

David was nominated for the award by his manager and says it came “totally out of the blue”.

He said: “I was shocked and surprised to receive the award. I’m pretty much a backroom boy; I just get on with the day-to-day running of the market. I’m not after accolades, I just get on and do my job.

“I have enjoyed my time working for Bolton Markets which has brought many challenges, a lot of memories and hard work but every single year has been worthwhile.

“I came here just after the first part of the market opened, and we hadn’t completed the refurbishment yet.

“We only had what was known as the miscellaneous section, which is now the lifestyle section. The fish market hadn’t been refurbished, nor had the fruit market, and I think we only had 17 car parking spaces. We’ve still got some of the same traders as when we started. Some of them were even here before me!”

Although the market has changed a lot over the past few decades, David says that it still has a vital part to play in the town.

“I think everybody has got more professional. We have in the office. The traders can‘t just turn up with a suitcase of stuff and rent a stall for the day and expect to make a living out of that, which they could do in the old days. A lot of them now present the goods a lot better than they used to.

“The market has also changed in its customer base. We have a lot more Eastern European and Asian people visiting the market and the type of goods that are offered reflect that. The fruit and veg have vastly increased their range of produce to cater for Caribbean and African diets so it’s great that there’s so much variety for everyone.”

Among David’s achievements include helping to develop the Bolton Food and Drink Festival market into the success it is today. However, he says that his favourite part of the job is assisting the market’s grass roots traders.

“You see successful traders who have come in and have really made a great success of it all. You get to watch them grow and develop, and help them get the business of the ground with a bit of advice. That’s the most rewarding part of the job.”

With David admitting that retirement may be on the horizon within the next few years, he may finally have the opportunity to take a well-earned break. Although he won’t be putting his feet up altogether.

“I don’t see myself not being involved in markets at all. It’s in my blood. It’s been my career so you don’t just stop doing things like that. I’ll always be available to advise or help if they want me.”