Doncaster long-serving market stall carries on trading

Simon Tabor established his business, S Tabor’s Fruit and Veg, in 1980.

Now in its third generation, the stall was previously owned by his father, Bryan Tabor, and before that his grandfather, Herbert Wells.

Located in the Market Place, Simon has now acquired another stall and expanded his business, making it now one of the largest fruit and veg stalls within Doncaster Market.

The stall sells a wide range of produce, including fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Following the Government’s lockdown announcement a few weeks ago, S Tabor’s Fruit and Veg decided to stay open as an essential business to serve the local community.

The stall has implemented social distancing measures to ensure customer and staff safety.

Their new Facebook page is regularly updated with opening hours and stock availability.

Protective gloves for staff have been provided and the stall is now welcoming contactless card payments.

Simon said: “A lot of customers rely on us for their weekly essentials and we have also welcomed a lot of new customers during this challenging time.

“We are continuing to open Monday to Saturday and have plenty of fresh produce daily.

“We would like to thank the community for their continued custom and support.”

Share stories of home treasures

Tabor’s is part of a long history for Doncaster Market.

According to the Visit Doncaster website, the market goes right back to Roman times, when locals set up a trading post, or vicus, outside the walls of the Danum Roman fort to trade with the garrison stationed there.

The website says: “Today’s market is on the very same spot and has benefited from Doncaster being on the Great North Road through the centuries.”

The Fish Market is very well known and has featured on TV but it is only one of around 10 separate markets comprising more than 400 stalls in total which are based at the Market Place.

Visit Doncaster says: “In the 19th century a Corn Exchange was built at the heart of the market area. It was designed to be a concert hall as well as a market building and Elgar conducted the London Symphony Orchestra here in 1909.

“A young Winston Churchill also spoke here about his experiences during the Boer War.”

Doncaster Market has won awards including the BBC’s Best Food Market in Britain. It is usually fully open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 8am until 4pm. The market place usually also features a weekly antiques and secondhand market and regular farmers’ markets.