Covent Garden stalwart Peter Fowler retires this week after half a century in the trade and 26 years to the day since he took over the C&C business.
Fowler, who remains honorary president of the Covent Garden Tenants Association (CGTA), started out on the world-famous market working for Henry Solomons boiling beetroot in the 1960s, from there joining Covent Garden Supply; a pioneer in catering distribution.
Fowler's next move was to EC Dean before the move to New Covent Garden Market in 1974, by which time the firm had become Lyons & Dean.
The now legendary deal, which saw Fowler buy into C&C, came in 1986 when Covent Garden character Lenny Cooper was retiring and sold Fowler the firm.
Fowler later recalled: “He took a blank sheet of paper and wrote - ‘If at any time, you fail to pay me my money by mid-morning every Saturday, the company reverts to my name’. I must have been mad, but I signed it.”
Since then, Peter Fowler, C&C and now his son Damian have become known as exotic specialists as they moved the business away from the focus it held under Cooper on traditional fruit lines.
Expansion continued and Fowler set up at New Spitalfields when it was established and branched out onto Borough Market, where his son Lawrence and daughter Kelly run Elsey & Bent.
Tributes to Peter are many on the occasion of his retirement.
Jan Lloyd, Covent Garden Market Authority chief executive said: "From the moment I arrived at NCGM in 2005 Peter has been unstinting with his time on behalf of the market. We shall miss his wisdom, wit and diplomacy and we wish him every happiness in retirement."
Premier Fruits's chairman Jason Tanner said: "He is like the godfather of the fruit business, he gives you advice and you know it would never go any further. He is a true friend who will be missed on the market."
Reflecting on his career Fowler says he has worked hard, but loved market life and that there are too many people to mention who he would like to thank for their support. He will be celebrating on 1 June with some market friends over lunch where his career began, at old Covent Garden.
Gary Marshall, chairman of CGTA said: "Peter is New Covent Garden; he represents all that is good about our market. Where would the CGTA be without him and his support as president to me and previous chairmen? Peter has been incredible always making himself available and somehow always remaining level-headed and honest in his views.
"The dinner dance success and the amazing amounts of money that have been raised over the years and all the great nights we have had owe a big debt of gratitude to Peter.
"Peter has been a major influence in my life. I am proud to call him my friend and confidant. The market will miss Peter's energy commitment, passion and most of all his ability to listen. I wish Peter and Chrissie many, many, happy years together."
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