VIDEO: IT will be the end of an era on Warrington Market when Josephine Butterworth retires later this summer.
Mrs Butterworth, has worked at the family business selling bedding and linen since the age of 21, with late husband Michael, also selling carpets from another stall.
Previously she had worked on her parent’s pet stall on the market from the age of 18.
Butterworth’s is one of the oldest stalls remaining on the market opening in September 1934.
Mrs Butterworth, who says she has had a “wonderful life” working on the market, has decided to retire aged 84, when the market moves into new temporary premises later this year, while work then begins on demolishing the current building, to make way for a new multi-million pound facility on the current site, as part of the Time Square Development.
Her memories include the “broken biscuit stall” which attracted lengthy queues.
During her retirement she plans to put her feet up and enjoy some cream teas at daughter Michele Butterworth’s nearby town centre restaurant!
Josephine Butterworth on her stall.
3 Comments
What a lovely lady – I first met her during the making of a series of short films advertising the market. The gorilla driving the disability scooter would scoot past her stall after pinching a bunch of bananas. As Mrs Butterworth said Michelle makes great rich cakes that are delicious.
I remember seing this Lady on her stall when I first started going into the market over 30 years ago. Hope she has a long and lovely retirement xx
She’s been in the market for as long as I remember too. Hope she enjoys her retirement.