THESE fascinating pictures reveal the hustle of the famous London markets where Sir Alan Sugar first made his mark on the business world.
He set out his beetroot stall in the historic Petticoat Lane markets – which have been captured at the height of its hustle and bustle in the 1950s.
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut The birdman of Middlesex Road pictured offering birds in cages, complete with one perched on his shoulder, as he sells his stock at Petticoat Lane market[/caption]
Alan Sugar posing in 1986 for what would go on to be his largest business venture, Amstrad, set up in 1968Rex Features
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut The self-proclaimed ‘mayor of Petticoat Lane’ showing off his stack of blankets, pictured in 1957[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut Eagle-eyed punters examine the wares of a carpet dealer at the famous market where Sir Alan Sugar first set out his stall[/caption]
The remarkable photos, captured in 1957 in the East End, show a flamboyant hawker showing off his display of tropical birds and cages.
Another shows a crateload of adorable puppies for sale, and a cigarette smoking vendor standing impatiently by his collection of historic medals waiting for a sale.
The market was where a 16-year-old Sir Sugar first started his own business before opening his computer company Amstrad aged 21 in 1968.
His business know-how must have been apparent from a very early age as Petticoat Lane is known for the stall holder’s showmanship, making it difficult to stand out from the crowd.
Among the collection of amazing images is a throng of punters looking to grab a bargain and the self-proclaimed mayor of petticoat lane flogging his blankets.
Sir Sugar going back to his roots in the EastEnders’ market for a Children in Need episodeBBC
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut Petticoat Lane is known for the stall holder’s showmanship, making it difficult to stand out from the crowd – here a man displays what he is trying to sell in the middle of the market[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut Everything you could possibly need: Here, some bicycle parts are for sale as men in overcoats inspect various mechanisms to buy[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut A distinctive stallholder offers up various sculptures and lamps for sale as eager punters gather round the side of his stall in the Petticoat Lane market[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut A dapper salesman standing alongside his vintage medals, available for the right price – he is using a window ledge as his stall in the famous London market[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut Baskets of puppies clamour to be petted and taken home by the children eagerly looking at them at the East End market in 1957[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut The view from the other side: punters are seen looking into a stall as the seller tries to get them to buy various bits of material and clothing[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut One chap is seen trying on a coat and hat from a vendor as he browses what’s on offer at the Petticoat Lane market in the 1950s[/caption]
The world-renowned market dates back hundreds of years, from at least the early 1700s.
The name Petticoat Lane no longer exists on modern maps but is a hangover from the Victorian era.
According to some sources, the name was changed to avoid upsetting some punters with very conservative sensibilities – it’s now listed as Middlesex Street.
The market still attracts crowds of clients every week and has over 1,000 stalls, mainly specialising in clothes and household goods but with something for everyone.
Sir Sugar was born 24 March 1947, in Hackney, East London.
The 71-year-old married Ann Simons, the aunt of former EastEnders star Rita Simons,on April 28, 1968, and the two recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary together.
In 2016, The Sunday Times Rich List estimated Lord Sugar’s net worth at £1.15billion – this makes him the 95th richest person in the UK.
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Lord Sugar donates his fees for his work on The Apprentice to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
At the height of its success, Amstrad alone was worth an estimated £1.2billion, however, it was sold in 2007 to BSkyB for £125million.
On top of this, he runs Amsprop alongside his son, Daniel Sugar, who acts as MD for Amsprop Estates.
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut Car bonnet sale: wirelesses and clocks are available to the right buyer from this makeshift stall[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut One girl looks besotted as she reaches into a basket of adorable puppies for sale at the historic London market[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut A man looking dapper in a top hat yells out enthusiastically as he shows off the shoes he is selling, as an assistant looks on happily[/caption]
Mediadrumimages/Topfoto/Retronaut Crowds gather to hear what this man is saying about his products – which appear to be cushions or pillows – at the historic East End market[/caption]
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