Meet the Grainger Market Traders: Hector Hall

Hector Hall is one of Grainger Market’s longest-running businesses. Can you tell us a bit more about its history and how you came to take over the reins?

Hector Hall has been in the Grainger Market for decades. It started as a butchers and eventually became a fruit and veg shop – this must have been at least 30 years ago. I left school at 15 and started working at markets across Newcastle. It was my boss who bought this shop in 1988, and he brought me with him. I’ve never looked back since.

Every day is different in the Grainger Market, there’s always new challenges and you meet so many people.

Much of your produce is sourced from local farmers. Why is it important for you to focus on locally sourced fruit and veg?

We always try to get local produce when we can, like Northumbrian leeks and English strawberries. It's important to support local, like when things are in season – we want our produce to be the best it can be.

How do you manage to keep your prices so competitive?

We're very lucky to have a central spot in the heart of the city, meaning plenty of people wander by our displays every day. This means we can buy things in bulk, and we get a decent price for it, so we can offer customers good deals.

It's very important for us to keep prices as low as they can be – we want everyone to enjoy what we offer.

If you had to whip up a meal, using only produce from your stall, what would it be?

My favourite thing to pick up is Northumbrian leeks to make leek pudding on a cold winter's day.

I also like to use meat within my recipes – our Cyprus potatoes are the very best to go alongside ham and eggs to make chips, and our sprouts and cauliflower are a must on a Christmas dinner.

It’s nice to see other traders using us too, for example Crepes Gourmet who are opposite us in the Market use our fruit on their crepes. We all support each other – it's class!

And, as we always ask traders, what is your favourite thing about being a part of the Grainger Market community?

It has to be the people. The general craic, the morning waves, the laughs and memories. Loads of us traders have been here for years; we’ve grown up together. It's really nice to be part of that community.

Hector Hall is located in Unit 125 – 156 on Alley 3 in Grainger Market and is open Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5:30pm. For more information visit ourgraingermarket.co.uk/traders/hector-hall.