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Market trader of the year 2008

Following a record level of nominations that you sent in for your favourite traders across Westminster, we are proud to announce that the winner of Westminster’s Market Trader of the Year 2008 is Paul Stein.

Paul Stein, Market Trader of the Year 2008

Paul Stein, Market Trader of the Year 2008

 

It was third time lucky for Paul Stein, 46, who has been a finalist twice before in the competition run by the council. Paul, who has run a fruit stall in Oxford Street for nearly 25 years, was praised by judges for his jolly personality and "lovely, gentle way with customers" as well as the fantastic quality fruit he sells on his stall.

He fought off strong competition from five other finalists and the city council received 500 nominations for market traders across the city proving shoppers still use and value their local markets.

Paul said: "I felt honoured to be a finalist so I’m absolutely elated to win. I’m hoping this will boost sales for me and all the other traders in Oxford Street. There is a lot of competition from supermarkets nowadays but market stalls have much fresher produce and the personal touch when it comes to customer service so I still think we have something valuable to offer."

Dean Ingledew, director for Community Protection at Westminster City Council, said: "The judges’ decision was unanimous. They decided Paul had the edge over everyone else because of the amazing produce he sells, the excellent and extremely competitive prices he sells it for and the wonderful way he uses his space - he sells rows of beautiful fruit with cold drinks at the back and hot roasted chestnuts at the front."

"He's been there a long time and his customers clearly have a great deal of time for him. Markets offer a colourful focal point for any community and can provide fantastic quality produce at very reasonable prices. They are also a very ‘green’ way to shop using very little packaging."

Faye Quigley, the president of the National Market Traders' Federation, was a member of the judging panel. She said: "He has such a lovely gentle way with his customers, I can see why people like and trust him and come back again and again. The quality of his fruit is just fantastic and the price he sells it for is so reasonable."

The other five finalists were:

The competition closed on 14th March 2008, terms and conditions apply.

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