Popular Doncaster market stall celebrates 100 years of trading

The Crab Stall, which is situated at the heart of Doncaster Market, was opened in 1919 by fishmonger Charles Morgan who at the age of 17 set up on his own after being denied a pay rise by his former boss.

During his first week working for himself Charles earned £7.50, which equates to nearly £400 today.

From then on he never looked back and, despite taking a brief break in 1926 during the general strike, he continued to work on the stall up until his death in 1965.

The business has since passed through three generations and is now under the reign of Phillip Morgan.

Phillip, 53, said: “It was always the plan that I would take it over from my dad and I hope my daughters will carry it on for generations to come. My favourite part about being on the stall is meeting the customers, the markets are like one big family.

“I work Monday to Saturday, with some half days but on the main market days I work 12 hours.”

Phillip, who took over from his father – also named Charles – in 2002 works with his daughters Hannah, 26, and Faye, 28, on the stall and said the days can sometimes start very early.

“We are part of the fish market where there is around 15 stalls,” he added. “We source all our products from the UK, and sell everything from crab, to fish and lobsters.

“I’m happy to do it and to carry it on, I want to keep it in the family. I just want to say a massive thank you to our customers who have helped keep us in business over the years.”

The stall initially stood outside the Corn Exchange before later moving to its current location inside the fish market.

It specialises in crab meat and fresh filleted fish, offering everything from salmon, cod, haddock, plaice and halibut along with homemade fishcakes.