THE first-ever customer to a sports shop now celebrating its 30th year of business has been rewarded with a new pair of shoes.

John Smillie was just 12 years old when he waited for Joe Forte to open his new sports shop on High Street in July 1985.

Mr Forte, who opened the shop when he was 26 years old, has now thanked residents of the town and surrounding villages for their support for more than three decades.

He said: “The good thing is myself and Leisure Time Sports have existed all that time. They have been here longer but we have managed to exist together and that shows what a good town Haddington is having been able to support us both.

“I would like to thank the public of Haddington and surrounding villages and the people that come to the town and support us. It is a testament that, 30 years on, I’m still here and that is down to the loyalty of the community.

“When I opened, there were kids at Knox Academy who are now married with kids and they come with their children, which is quite nice to see. I just hope I am not here when they bring their grandchildren in!” Mr Forte, whose mum and dad ran Forte Cafe on High Street, had played for Hibs FC as a youngster and told the Courier all he knew was sport, which led him to open the shop.

Mr Smillie, who grew up in Lydgait but now lives in Ireland, remembered sitting outside the shop waiting for it to open.

He said: “I think I was looking for a pair of shin guards. I played for Haddington Hotspur at the time and my dad ran the team for years. I was well excited with a new sports shop opening up and I remember all the lads in the football team were looking forward to it.”