Widower moves to Barrow and opens business on his birthday

68-year-old Adrian Ayers opened his new Lakeland Bargains business in Ulverston Market on his birthday on April 18.

The gift shop was opened by the town's Mayor Michelle Scrogham and sells wall plaques, Peter Rabbit cuddlies and much more.

READ MORE: Ulverston Mayor shares year of fundraising with charities

It is his super cute dog mugs that are perhaps his best-selling product however after becoming popular with locals.

He buys them directly from artist Christine Varley from her company WaggyDogz. 

Adrian, who is originally down south, had a market stall at Hailsham market in Sussex for around five years however lost the will to trade when tragedy struck his loved ones after the other. 

He said: "First my mum Josephine died in 2013, then my brother Raymond in 2014 and then my wife Sue was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2015.

"After their deaths, I just stopped," Adrian said. "I just couldn't carry on and I went into early retirement. 

"Before the market stall I was a printer by trade so I just used my print pension."

He said in the last few years he's been 'climbing the walls' and it was going back to his true Barrovian roots that helped him through the tough time.

He said: "Although I was born down south, my family are from Walney and my dad was quite a famous Barrovian - he was Barrow Rugby League captain Bob Ayres.

"I decided to move back up this way and it was when I visited Ulverston market I decided I wanted to a pop-up stall which I'd been doing since November.

"I loved it - I love talking to people again and before Sue passed away - when she knew what was going to happen - she wanted me to carry on and she always said that I needed to keep myself occupied. She was so right in everything she said - she was lovely." 

After seeing three empty units in Ulverston Market, Adrian decided to apply full time and he was successful.

"Being back with Barrovians and opening up in Ulverston, it's been like therapy for me," he said.

"I'll never get over what's happened but now I have a goal, and it's the best thing I've ever done for myself.

"Although I was born down south I feel more like a Barrovian. With my dad being from Walney, I used to absolutely love coming to Barrow.

"Ulverston is such a welcoming place too and the council and the traders in the market have all been so supportive. It's like we're one big family."