An independent SPAR retailer is marking 50 years of serving his community through a family-run convenience store.
David Gregson, who has owned the SPAR on Kirkby Stephen's High Street since 1976, is celebrating half a century of trade by offering customers "a taste of the 1970s."
Mr Gregson said: "It is an amazing length of time, and another major milestone has ticked around.
"We had to mark the occasion with a celebration.
"My family has always had shops.
"There must be something we love about it.
"I think we have always enjoyed helping people out and accommodating their needs.
"My dad had a view that ‘if we haven’t got it, we’ll get it’.
"His SPAR store in Warcop had everything, and I have tried to follow that with the SPAR in Kirkby Stephen."
On July 16 and 17, he is turning back the clock with selected product lines on sale at their 1970s prices.
These include a four-pack of SPAR toilet rolls for 72p, cans of SPAR coke and lemonade for 13p, Easy Non-bio washing powder for 71p, custard creams for 16p, a 1kg bag of flour for 39p, and Dolly Mix and Smash for 23p each.
To add to the nostalgia, staff will dress in colourful 1970s outfits, and Kirkby Stephen Silver Band will perform from 4pm on both days.
David Gregson is the sixth generation of his family to run shops in the area, with the family’s first store opening in Warcop in 1829.
That store closed in 2007 when his father Michael retired.
His mother Valerie also ran a ladies’ clothing and babywear shop in Kirkby Stephen.
The Kirkby Stephen SPAR was originally owned by the Woodcock family before being acquired by the Gregsons in 1976.
SPAR Kirkby Stephen converted to the SPAR brand in 1972, four years before the Gregson family took over.
Mr Gregson recalled an incident from his early days in the business that highlighted the family’s customer-first approach.
He said: "I remember one occasion when we used to range household items and some clothing.
"I was advised to focus on grocery products on a visit by my SPAR representative who took a particular focus on some check shirts.
"Within the same minute, a farmer’s wife who is still a regular customer to this day came into the store and bought three of them right in front of him.
"He was totally convinced it was a set up!
"To me and the family, it was about knowing your customer, which is why we sold them."
Mr Gregson has witnessed significant changes in retail over the past five decades, but he described his team as a constant source of support.
He said: "There has been so much change over the years, both in terms of the store and the town.
"I have been very lucky to have had a wonderful team of staff across 50 years, too, and many of them have been long serving.
"One of them, Brenda, did nearly 40 years, and two of my current team, Carol and Judith, have both done well over 30 years each."
Throughout the two-day celebration, customers can spin the SPAR wheel for prizes, take part in a quiz, enjoy birthday cake, and visit a face painter from 1.30pm each day.
There will also be cheese and wine from 6pm on Thursday, and food samples from Clayton Park Bakery and Fazilas from 2pm on Friday.
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