Cooney’s fruit and veg has been keeping the people of Sunderland in fresh fruit and veg for 80 years, but this weekend is the end of an era.
Bennet Cooney, known as Benny, has the last remaining Cooney’s stall, which has been selling a kaleidoscope of produce outside of the former Wilkos site for the past 20 years.
But with the 68-year-old retiring, the stall, which is the city’s last outdoor fruit and veg stall, will also close. Here’s a look back through the years.
5. Family business
Cooney's is a true family business with various members of the family working there over the decades. Benny is pictured with cousin Vicky Wheatley, who works on the current stall, and aunt Valerie Wheatley. | Sunderland Echo
6. Part of the fabric of the city centre
Cooney's has been outside of the former Binns / Wilkos site for 20 years and will be a big miss on that corner of the city centre. | Sunderland Echo
7. Part of the community
One of the old Hetton shops set up by Benny's mam Shirley. | Submitted
