Comments on: David Kira Ltd, Banana Merchants

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 23:00:49 +0000

Does anyone know if David Ryner is still alive?

By: Brian Lackmaker

Brian Lackmaker — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:51:18 +0000

My father was Harry, born 1922 and his brother was Jack. They grew up off of brick lane

By: Lorraine cavill

Lorraine cavill — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 23:01:58 +0000

My dad worked for David Kira. He has told me many happy stories of working there

By: Suzanne Britz

Suzanne Britz — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 23:01:25 +0000

Hiya. I have a wooden box which was given to me a few years ago, I was told they were used to carry chickens but I’m not sure that would be the case given David Kira was a banana merchant. On the box it’s reads David Kira, Fruit Importer, 1 Fournier St, London EC1, its rectangular in shape and small with a central piece to carry it. Happy to share a photo although I can’t attach it here. It would be great to know what it was used or. Many thanks.

By: Peter Duck

Peter Duck — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 19:55:26 +0000

I use to work there in the 70s remember the early starts but always enjoyed my time there. I remember Stewart too. Happy days.

By: James Woolf

James Woolf — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:53:01 +0000

I just stumbled across this page and it brought back a flood of memories of the old Spitalfield Market. My dad (Ken) was a postman in the market for many years and he got me a college holiday job working for Lackmakers back in the mid 80’s. I remember Dave and Bob and the old man Harry Lackmaker. I can’t believee that I cycled to work from Chingford every day for a 5.30am start!

By: Mr Gary Thomas Houslip

Mr Gary Thomas Houslip — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 03:35:45 +0000

I am Nic younger brother and live in Australia, Nic,s recollections brought very fond memories of early morning adventures to the markets and esecially the Banana merchant David Kira and Jones Cafe, I loved the smell of the markets and the fantastic ham rolls. I have a fond memory of going into the Banana merchants shop with low ceilings and very dark rooms with all the bunches of green bananas riping and David greeting my father”Hello uncle Tommy how are you today and asking if I would like a banana then asking me what I was interested in I said I would l would like to play a piano and David said learn to play a jewish Paino instead it will make you more money !!! a cash register.

By: Nic Houslip

Nic Houslip — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 17:25:11 +0000

My father was a greengrocer in N. London the 1950’s and bought his stock in Spitalfields two or three times weekly. He always parked his truck in Wilkes St, where it was ably “minded” by a Minder, whose name I can’t recall now, he controlled parking and directed the porters to unload their barrows on the correct truck. They’d come to the corner of Wilkes St and Fournier St and shout out the name and the minder would show him which truck. It was of course all unoffical, but worked extremely well.

He always bought his Bananas from David Kira, and I have a long lasting memory of him trying to pay David with the then new fangled small Fiver [that replaced the large white Five pOund note] and David saying: Don’t give me that Tom, I had one last week and I gave it away in change thinking it was pound! I swear there was a tear in his eye.

I have very fond memories of Jones’ Cafe in Puma Court, the Crusty Ham Rolls and a cup of Tea at 06:00 were always welcome to a 12 year old who was permanently hungry.

On one memorable occasion 4 or 5 Bobbies came in and sat “round the back” of the cafe with their tea and toast. All of a sudden another Bobby appeared in the doorway and called out, Psst! Sergeant’s coming; at which the Bobbies all filed out, leaving their Tea and Toast at the counter.

A few minutes later the Sargeant came in, had his Tea and Toast, then left, sure enough soon after that the Bobbies re-appeared, reclaimed their Tea nd Toast and finished them round the back. I’m sure that this was a frequent occurrence that was well known to the Sergeant, but he turned a blind eye.

By: Muneeb Durrani

Muneeb Durrani — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 19:08:00 +0000

Loved this part of London. Lots of memories, my Uncle Mahmoud Durrani rented from David Kira 1A Fournier st. As shown in the images Durrani Brothers Ltd.

By: Tom lucy

Tom lucy — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 01:10:18 +0000

Is David clanger still alive ?