“Liam Gallagher once bought a pair of John Lennon sunglasses off me for 3 quid! And he asked if could have 2 for a fiver!” says street trader Billy Tatler. A familiar face on Eastgate street, he recently celebrated 41 years of street trading.

A lifelong Cestrian ( apart from 2 years living on Jersey) he became a street trader in 1984 after an earlier career that saw him travelling around the country. “ Some of the places I went to , like Leeds and Manchester they had street sellers and I thought, that it was the one thing we didn’t have in Chester” There was a little dapper guy called Charlie who used to sell things by the Bank. It was called a suitcase license- all you had was a suitcase.”

Over the 41 years the city has seen many changes. “The best thing since I’ve had the license is when they pedestrianised the city , that was a brilliant move to do that. The worst thing was when Debenhams closed down – although its coming back to life now and that will bring people in . “ Always positive about his home town he notes that ” the football club has done really well as well! Its a vibrant positive city to live in I’ve tried to promote the city every day that I’ve worked here! Even on Jersey Chester has a great pull!”

“In the summer time its busy most days. When it goes quiet in the winter I usually just do Friday to Monday and have the rest of the week off. The footfall has not come back since Covid. It gives me a purpose, to get out of bed in the morning. My wife passed away 6 years ago . I have people from all over Chester and all over the country coming to see me. I had two ladies from Somerset before and a guy from Canada, and some people from Argentina buying some magnets off me. I try to give them as much information as I can about the history of Chester and the quirky little lanes and sayings of Chester. Best seller at the moment is the Liverpool T shirts!!

“The Labour council have tried to promote the city in different ways and its working. The American tourists are coming back. I expect the dollar to the pound exchange rate has something to do with it. Free car parking would bring a lot of people in. When they had free after 3, a lot of mums would pick their children up and then come into town. I know the council need the revenue but that’s my personal thing.” He acknowledges the big challenge posed by the internet to town centres: “The internet has changed every aspect of retail. A lot of people now don’t even come to town they just buy online.” Novelty key rings are selling well, there’s always something different

Billy has always enjoyed Christmases. “I sell single sheet wrapping paper. I have had 4 generations of people coming to buy, and its very satisfying to see. The smile when a child puts on a Christmas hat, it’s difficult to explain but everyone’s happy!

“Meeting different people every day has been the highlight! People from all over the city. In Manchester I’m known as Billy Chester, and I tell everyone to come and see this wonderful city! I get along with all the buskers. There was a girl called Claire Gobin and she was busking on the street, and Pete Waterman had a railway exhibition at the Cathedral. He came over to see her and gave her a card. And she’s now touring with Rod Stewart.”

“There’s other tales to tell that I can’t mention!” he laughs

“I never feel lonely. There’s always someone that comes and talks to me. sometimes I’m a social worker and they come and unload all their problems onto me! I have friends that I have known since school that come and see me.”

He says he is unsure about the future of street traders, with only himself and one other remaining, but Billy remains fully committed to his job. “As long as my health holds out I will be here. Even if I win the lottery I will still be here!”