Him Wit' Beard Handbags has been a family stall in Lancaster Indoor Market since 1970.

The stall sells handbags, luggage, shopping trolleys, belts, wallets, purses, umbrellas and back packs.

Sarah Holkyard, from Caton, has been running the stall, named after her dad – who has a beard – for 12 years.

Sarah said: "I get people asking for bean bags because we sell bags, but we don't do that type of bag."

She said: "Trade is very good, I'm selling a lot of luggage bags because people are going on holiday a lot more. My busiest time is usually August before the children go back to school and December for Christmas gifts."

The cheapest product on sale is a bus pass holder at £1.50, while the most expensive items are leather holdalls, priced at around £150.

Recent trends and popular items on the stall include see-through dome umbrellas. I asked why that was and quickly wished I hadn't. Sarah responded quite naturally: "So people can see where they're going when it rains."

"Brightly coloured shopping trolleys are also very popular at the moment, especially with students," she continued, "Shopping trolleys seem to have become cool and more older people are now buying them because they have seen the students with them – so they don't feel as old having them."

"I don't think there's been much change in market trading, for me business has been as good as it always was."

A word of warning though for those thinking of setting up their own stall.

"Some people think that they can just get into a market and sell, and find that they struggle to continue their business profitably. People shouldn't rely on one commodity and should try to sell things that cover all ages and both genders. If people are prepared to work hard then most business will succeed," said Sarah.

She added: "I think there is definitely a future for markets.

Independent retailers are essential as everyone wants something different. Without markets every town would become exactly the same with the same chainstores on every street."

Sarah cited her favourite shop as Health and Brew as it's a lot cheaper than the high street and they will always order something in if it's not in stock. She also recommends the market cafes, and said she can definitely vouch for the food.