Kidd, John – ex footballer became the Veg King

John ‘Buster’ Kidd (b1958)

JOHN Kidd only arrived in Grantham in 1999 but more and more people are discovering him every day.

Since opening Buster’s Blooms in the George Centre, he has proved that you don’t need expensive shelving for a greengrocers. Indeed, his operation was an extension of a market stall.

John – known to all as Buster – was born in North London, a short sprint from Arsenal’s Highbury stadium.

He even played football as a schoolboy with the club, but didn’t sign up. Instead he took an apprenticeship as a bricklayer.

He played non-league soccer for Enfield, Islington and Leytonstone in midfield or sweeper.

On completing his indentures, he joined the Parachute Regiment, but after a few years in some of the world’s toughest places, he returned to Civvy Street as a builder.

On moving to Grantham, he continued his career and was a part-time lecturer in the subject at Grantham College although several leg operations were making working outdoors more difficult.

Then, in 2011, fate took a hand. He had set up a hobby-business selling fresh vegetables from his Harrowby Road home.

The, following a complaint, the council stepped in and told him he had no permission for his home to be used for business purposes.

Fortunately, the George Centre had a vacancy and offered him space. He moved in and onm 2013 transferred to a bigger unit.

He then moved his business to Market Place, but this closed in the summer of 2016.

He has since moved into the building trade.