Entrepreneurial legacy of ‘Del Boy’ lives on in Peckham
Legendary actor Sir David Jason turned 85 years old this weekend, as new research revealed the true legacy of his most iconic character.
Sir David brought joy to the nation as the Peckham market trader and lovable rogue, Derek “Del Boy” Trotter, in Only Fools and Horses.
The sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan, ran across seven series from 1981 to 1991.
Now, new research from GoDaddy reveals that the entrepreneurial legacy of ‘Del Boy’ lives on in Peckham.
According to Venture Forward – GoDaddy’s international research initiative – Peckham has seen a 42 per cent increase in the number of microbusinesses per 100 residents over the past year.
One of these is Lydia Maxwell, who lives in Peckham and runs her sustainable dog walking business, DogBoxx, from the area.
The 41-year-old started the company – which employs three staff and turns over five figures each year – in the summer of 2021, after losing her job as an English teacher during the global pandemic.
Running DogBoxx is now Ms Maxwell’s full-time vocation, working five-days-a-week with customers across Peckham and other parts of London.
Ms Maxwell, who was a fan of Only Fools and Horses when she was young, believes Del Boy’s entrepreneurial legacy lives on in the area.
She said: “One of the things I love most about Peckham is its diversity, and that’s reflected in the variety of small businesses in the community – we’ve got a great local independent hospitality scene, along with galleries, cheesemakers and a gin distillery.
“Rye Lane is a particular hotspot and there are new independent shops cropping up all the time.
“Everyone in Peckham is very supportive of local small businesses and our entrepreneurs. Del Boy would be very proud.”
Peckham’s thriving small business scene comes with added benefits for the community.
GoDaddy research found that each additional microbusiness is associated with an average increase of five jobs per resident.
Research also found that a 10 per cent increase in microbusiness density leads to an annual £320 increase in median annual pay for full-time workers.
Andrew Gradon, UK market lead at GoDaddy, said: “From Trotters Independent Traders to Boyce Autos & Car Accessories, Only Fools and Horses gave us some iconic – but fictional – small businesses and entrepreneurs at the heart of the Peckham economy.
“Now, as David Jason reaches the age of 85, we can see that the spirit of Del Boy lives on.
“The make-up of Peckham’s small businesses might have changed a bit – with products and services being sold through websites and social media platforms, rather than from a dodgy suitcase – but through entrepreneurs such as Lydia, the same qualities of innovation, determination and resilience are still there in abundance.”
Pictured top: Sir David Jason as Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, 1981 (Picture: BBC/ Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo)