Malone, Grunger
I hadn’t been to the market for 18 months, so I was thrilled today to hear the familiar voice of Ivan Napple, the Cockney greengrocer, calling out his prices, though his tone was rather muffled by a large mask. I was impressed by his Covid measures, a clear one-way system, plenty of hand-gel, though “Track and Trace” was a piece of paper with a biro, and a list of names and numbers.
“I spray the pen after each customer” he said, but I preferred my own.
He had an excellent range of fruit & veg, and I asked how he managed that when other greengrocers were struggling to get supplies.
“It’s a question of supply and demand. I demand it and the wholesaler supplies it. I have been their best customer for years so they look after me.”
He then surprised me by spraying the fruit. “I sanitise every half-hour. Some of my old customers love handling the goods before they buy.”
I made my purchases and went home to give the items a thorough wash.