When Katherine and Alan Barnes opened their A&K Barnes fruit and veg shop in Lancashire, The Beatles had just formed in nearby Liverpool, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, England's football team winning the World Cup, and the moon landings were two, six and nine years away respectively.
Fifty-five years on from opening the store in Clayton-le-Moors, near Accrington, though, and the duo are still trading in fresh produce.
And Katherine, 76, told the Accrington Observer that the couple have no plans to retire soon.
She said: “We just love it. We have met a lot of people over the years, it’s been unbelievable. People are coming in now who we first knew when they were children. They are all grown up now and have their own families and kids.
“I love coming here every day. Fifty-five years sounds a long time, but it doesn’t seem that long.”
According to the Observer, 77-year-old Alan travels to the wholesale market in Preston every morning between 4.30am and 6am to collect fresh produce for the shop.
Katherine added: “We have got some very good and loyal customers, and it’s a good job we have them. I just love selling and people, and I have always been in the retail trade.
“I don’t think we ever thought we would be here as long as we have. Alan will tell you I have not grumbled one morning or night since we’ve been here. If everybody was as happy with their job as we were, it would be a better place.”
Ward councillor Nick Collingridge told the Accrington Observer: “We hope they will go on a lot longer, as they are the only true fruit and veg shop in Clayton.”
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