Milkman Steve Hayden's dedication to East London communities over four decades hasn't gone unnoticed – on Wednesday, 23 July 2026, he was awarded the prestigious Freedom of the City of London. The Wanstead-based milkman received this ancient honour at a ceremony at Guildhall, surrounded by family and friends, marking one of the most significant days in his life.
Steve, 68, from Tottenham, has been serving his customers with pride since 1984 – a decade before the deregulation of the milk industry. He began working part-time as a teenager, long after school hours had ended, which eventually led to a full-time career as a milkman. Mr Hayden attributes his enduring popularity among locals to his friendly approach and genuine interest in their lives.
Although the traditional milkman's role has seen a drastic decline over the years – from an estimated 99% of UK households being supplied directly by milkmen in 1970, down to just 3% by 2025 – Mr Hayden credits his commitment to building relationships with customers as a key factor in his ongoing success. He also revealed that he's twice intervened to save elderly customers' lives after noticing their milk hadn't been collected.
Brendan Barns, chair of the City of London Corporation's culture, heritage, and libraries committee, hailed Mr Hayden as a "pillar of the community" and highlighted his dedication to those he serves. While there may be historical records of freemen dairy salesmen and dairymen listed in the City of London Corporation's database, Steve is the only modern milkman to receive this prestigious honour.
Mr Hayden, who works for Parker Dairies, has indicated that he intends to continue delivering milk to his customers as long as they wish him to do so. He expressed his gratitude and pride in receiving the Freedom of the City of London, stating it's a recognition not just of his work but also of the strong relationships he's built with those in his community.