‘I love it, but it's hard work!’ Meet the Leeds market trader who's been serving customers for 43 years

Meet the Leeds market trader who’s been serving customers for 43 years and still loves her job despite struggles with the cost of living crisis.

Joanne Johnson, owner of The Nut Shop in Leeds’s historic Kirkgate Market, spoke with Miriam Cates about getting her start as a 14-year-old shop girl before taking ownership of the stall 29 years ago.

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Ms Johnson revealed she now runs her stall solo after she was forced to let two workers go in recent months as skyrocketing rent prices bite.

Nevertheless, she insisted: “I can only speak from my own experience. I love this; I love being a market trader.

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“I love serving customers. I love watching young people grow. I’m serving grown-ups now that used to come as kids with their parents.

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“I love it, but it’s hard work,” the veteran market trader stressed.

“If you’re not prepared to put in the hours and you’re not prepared to sacrifice, especially at the beginning of your business life, you’re not going to be successful,” Ms Johnson noted.

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