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20
Sept 2024
‘Tragedy’ as Starbeck fruit stall owner announces closure
A much loved pop-up fruit stall in Starbeck has closed.
Owner George Churchill, who set up the stand in 2022, shared the news on social media “with great sadness” yesterday.
George’s Greens sold fresh fruit and vegetables outside the Prince of Wales pub every Friday and Saturday – and it proved a hit with local residents.
But Mr Churchill, who entered the trade as a shop assistant in York when he was just 14, said the fruit shop has closed and the stall will no longer be pitched outside the pub on the High Street.
He attributed the move to a "change in circumstances", adding he wants to take a new direction in a different career.
The statement added:
I would like to thank all customers over the past few years, new and old.
Also a huge thanks to everyone involved in making it happen, especially Alyson Griffiths at the Prince of Wales Pub. Without her generosity, we would never have been there and served all the wonderful people.”
Ladlady Alyson Griffiths told the Stray Ferret the Starbeck community loved having Mr Churchill and his stand.
She added:
It is sad that George has left. We loved having him - as did the community. George will be missed by us all. We wish him all the success in his new adventure.
Hopefully some other fruit and veg person might want to come [here].
Credit: George Churchill
Mr Churchill also gave thanks to his “Saturday lad”, Jake.
Jake always showed up to work on time and put in more effort than teenagers older than him, the post added.
Mr Churchill wrote:
Whoever gets him next will be truly lucky to have him to contribute to their business!
Thank you all again and all the best, George.
Mr Churchill previously told the Stray Ferret the opportunity to buy the shop came up just before he turned 21 – and he grabbed it with both hands.
Since then, he established stalls in villages near York as well as his Starbeck stand.
The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Churchill about the closure, but we did not receive a response at the time of publication.
'You will be so, so missed'
But it was not just Ms Griffiths who expressed her sadness about the stall closing.
The social media post was flooded with comments telling Mr Churchill how much he, and his fresh produce, would be missed.
One commenter said:
We will all miss you, both for your cheerful welcome and for your fruit and veg. Wishing you all the best.
Starbeck High Street will not be the same without your colourful market stall. You will be so, so missed.
“Gutted doesn’t even cut it”, one person added.
Another account, which described the news as “a tragedy”, suggested Roots Fruit on King Edward’s Drive could take on the space.
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