The husband and wife team behind a popular Rickmansworth newsagent are celebrating their 30th year in business.

Keddy and Indumati Vithlani purchased the Hollands newsagents, in the High Street, in November of 1979 and, in between working mostly seven-day weeks, have raised three children in the town.

Mr Vithlani, 60, who had fled Uganda with thousands of other Asian refugees just seven years earlier, explained why he first bought the business – ironically from a Mr Amin.

He said: “I was working as an electrician at Heathrow airport when I saw the business advertised in the paper. I knew it would be hard work but I also knew I could make it a success. I managed to get a loan from Barclays bank and then the hard work really started.”

And this hard work, Mr Vithlani explained, has never really stopped.

He added: “I have mainly worked 12-hour days, often seven days a week. In the beginning I would only take a few days off a year but I had no choice: I had a family to support.

“I still do work seven days a week but give myself Sunday mornings off and manage to take a few holidays as well. But that is the secret of success: hard work and enthusiasm. If you do not work hard at something it will never be a success. That is what I have always told my children.”

Throughout their three decades in business, the couple have become firm fixtures in the town; well known among customers who, in many cases, have become firm friends.

Mr Vithlani added: “One of the reasons we’ve stayed so long in the town is because of the rapport we’ve developed with customers. Another reason was that our children went to school just up the road but so many of our customers have become friends. We’ve never wanted to leave.”

So when is the shop likely to change hands?

Mr Vithlani concluded: “In five years' time I will be 65 and I think that will be enough for me.”