David Whitman, the owner of Oakland Angling Centre in Enfield, is set to retire after 43 years, lamenting the decline of fishing culture in London. At 67 years old, he reflects on the dramatic decrease in anglers since he opened in 1982, with only three shops left in the city. The rise in housing costs has compounded the problem, leading many to live on boats instead. Although his shop is closing, his family's other shop remains open under his sons' management, while he looks forward to a more relaxed life, engaging in fishing after a long career.
I'm sad to go. The problem with fishing in London is that there are hardly any anglers left. In 1982 when I started there were 178 shops in London and there will be three left with me gone. All the old anglers have gone or moved out of London and not been replaced. It's gone, it's terrible.
If you go to the London canals, now they are solid with canal boats as there's no affordable housing anywhere.
I've worked hard. The shop will stay open for as long as my kids want to carry on doing it. I'm 67 years old and now I've had enough. I'll go fishing, relax, I've done my innings.
Another bit of history gone. Good luck Dave in whatever you choose to do.
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