A beloved market trader is retiring his stall after "grafting" for 52 years to put his children through university and into jobs.
Riaz Ali, known by customers as Raja, opened his womenswear stall "Guys n Gals" in St Mary's Market, St Helens, in 1971 and has worked most days for the past 52 years to help support his four children in their careers, as well as his wife of 47 years, Tasneem. In his five decades, the 70-year-old said he has seen a drastic change in the town, and despite his love for the job, he feels the time is right to retire.
His son Saif, who works as a dentist, told the ECHO that his dad "put in the graft" so that his kids could study and go into their desired professions.
