A budding footballer whose hopes were dashed by a devastating knee injury bounced back to become Hampstead’s newest greengrocer.

Thomas O'Brien, owner of O'Brien's Greengrocer, took over the lease for the stall at the Hampstead Community Market and started trading on January 12.

The 27-year-old, a grandson of former Brent Council leader Ann John, originally had very different ambitions, hoping to one day play for Arsenal.

"I went to college to chase my dream of one day being a footballer," he said.

"Typical story, knee injuries, but through the injuries I developed a passion for recovery and physiotherapy side of things."

This Is Local London: Thomas O'Brien wakes up at 2.30am every day to bring the freshest, best quality fruit and veg to Hampstead localsThomas O'Brien wakes up at 2.30am every day to bring the freshest, best quality fruit and veg to Hampstead locals (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Following an 18-month rehabilitation process, he found work in the grocer's section in Lidl then worked for Coca Cola as a sales rep.

In 2022 he started working for the stall's previous leaseholder Ian Jenkins, who was evicted last year over lack of pricing tickets.

"While working for the previous greengrocer I saw that it was something I'd like to do for the rest of my life as I thoroughly enjoyed it," said Thomas.

"I learnt a great deal from him about the trade and that's what built up my fundamental knowledge of being a greengrocer."

Knowing there was a vacancy he put his name forward but heard that the Hampstead Community Centre, which runs the market, had at first chosen somebody else.

"They said they'd keep me in mind," he added. "Then just three days before Christmas I got an email asking if I was still interested, so that was a very merry Christmas."

Thomas is now into his third month at the stall, with his partner Joanna Nolan helping him at weekends and a young woman working with him during the week.

He has also found himself round the corner from a lifelong friend who is the fishmonger at the market. “It's really unique, two lifelong friends with two businesses that complement each other in NW3," he added.

This Is Local London: Thomas O'Brien with lifelong friend Ryan Abrey-Theodouou whose family own Hampstead Seafoods in Hampstead Community MarketThomas O'Brien with lifelong friend Ryan Abrey-Theodouou whose family own Hampstead Seafoods in Hampstead Community Market (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

So far, it feels like everything is finally falling into place.

"My other grandmother Mary O'Brien passed away just before I started working here and my dad keeps telling me she's pulling the strings for me," he added.

It is arduous work. Thomas travels from Wembley Park every day, waking at 2.30am to get to the markets to buy "the freshest produce".

"All produce you see here is Class I, Grade A. That means it's the crème de la crème of the fruit and veg you can get," he said.

"My aim is to get the freshest and best quality produce to Hampstead and selling at a reasonable, affordable price."

This Is Local London: A happy coincidence, lifelong friends Thomas O'Brien, greengrocer, and Ryan Abrey-Theodorou, fishmonger, work side by side with businesses that complement one anotherA happy coincidence, lifelong friends Thomas O'Brien, greengrocer, and Ryan Abrey-Theodorou, fishmonger, work side by side with businesses that complement one another (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

He said every day there are little tasks to complete, such as ticketing produce, so he's "ploughing through them".

He added: "I heard in the winter months it is difficult early mornings and freezing cold but what a better time to start because you can find your feet, get momentum growing for the spring and summer time and reap the rewards of the seeds you've planted, if that doesn't sound too clichéd."