THE proud winner of this week's Trader of the Week goes to one of Barrow Market’s finest traders.

41-year-old Iain Raftery of Coniston Road has been running his Fat Bob’s stall for 16 years in Barrow Market.

During that time, he has become a permanent and well-known trader with many loyal and dedicated customers.

His stall offers a huge variety of DVDs, CDs and vinyl records from classic 60s, 70s and 80s hits to whole selection of classic Western DVDs.

He also has an amazing selection of vinyls from the Beatles to Joni Mitchell, from Pink Floyd to Elton John.

He also has great offers running regularly, from a clearing section where everything is only 50p to a 3 for £10 offer on both CDs and vinyls.

There are prices to fit everyone - for example anyone hoping to rekindle their affections for vinyls he offers some from as little as £1.99.

He also offers more expensive editions for the most dedicated of collectors.

Mr Raftery first started out in the trade after he left school to work for a CD wholesaler where he remained for 10 years.

“I was used to the trade – it was just what I knew, and I always fancied starting my own shop,” he said.

“So I moved here and it has been good ever since.

“I also used to have shops in Lancaster and Morecambe, but trade has remained good in Barrow.

One of his strongest sellers is vinyls.

He said: “Vinyl has become fashionable because it sounds different and it encourages people to listen to the album the whole way through rather than flicking between each song.”

Mr Raftery also goes to great effort to source his stock, from going to auction rooms to trading with other dealers and individuals.”

Jacqui Armstrong admin assistant at Barrow Market said: “Iain is a very professional trader and has done really well to build up his business developing a longstanding relationship with his customers.

“He has also done really well to moves with the times, expanding on his stock and investing in vinyls which are really on trend.

“Iain is a very worthy winner of this week’s Trader of the Week.”

If you would like to pay Iain a visit head down to Barrow Market based in Duke Street.

The best way to get in touch is to just head down to the market and see him. He sells, buys and trades stock.

He is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm.

You can also learn more about his services his Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/FATBOBSCDS/

If you would like to nominate someone for Trader of the Week please contact our reporter Charlie Fox on charlie.fox@newsquest.co.uk with a reason why you feel they stand out.