Greengrocer sent good wishes ahead of retirement
BBCA Gloucestershire town is getting ready to wish a happy retirement to a greengrocer who is shutting shop.
The Choice is Yours in Market Place, Coleford, Forest of Dean, is set to close later on Saturday, after 26 years.
Pat Scott continued running the business after the death of her husband Adam 14 years ago and their independent company has been trading for more than 50 years.
"I'm very emotional about it but I'm 71 and I think it's time for me to have my time now," she said.
She has received letters from customers with messages including "thank you Pat for your service to the community" and "thank you for making Coleford a better place".
Scott said she has seen a change in how people use greengrocers over the years.
"They [greengrocers] are coming back, because it's fresh," she said.
"I'm the only one in the Forest of Dean, according to the regeneration officer last year.
"On the high street that is, there are farm shops."
Scott has thanked customers for their years of service.
She previously told the town council's Meet the Trader page how she had supplied different outlets over the years, including local hotels, wedding venues and festivals.
"My customers have become friends, I am part of the local community," she had added.
Scott told the BBC she could not sell the shop on because the building needs too much work done to it.
It had to be rewired in January and needs a new ceiling, she said.
"It's got a lot of things to do to get up to the required health and safety," she added.
Scott, who lives about 20 miles away in Kilcot, said she is looking forwards to not having to commute to work every morning.
"I just want to go home, shut my door and relax. I'm up early in the mornings," she said, adding: "I'll miss it too."
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