Shop owners in Watford retire after 25 years (From Watford Observer)

Shop owners in Watford retire after 25 years

2:51pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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Early morning wake-up calls will soon become a thing of the past for the popular owners of a newsagents in Watford.

Jay and Sue Patel currently get up every morning at 5.30am to prepare their store, in Lammas Road, for the day ahead.

But after 25 years spent serving the Watford Fields community, the couple have announced their retirement and will open their shop for the last time on Sunday, March 21.

They will then hand the keys over to the new owners on the following day.

Sue, 54, said: “It will be very sad to say goodbye.”

It was while visiting Sue's sister in Watford that they decided to look for a business in the area.

And from early morning commuters to children visiting after school, their shop is constantly awash with customers.

The couple are also known to look after their elderly shoppers by delivering items if they are unable to leave their homes.

“When we used to visit here, we loved it,” said Sue. “The shop was closed for three months before we got it. We did a lot of improvements.

“Where these 25 years went I don't know.”

Jay, 57, said: “It's a nice community. We know everyone. It's just like a family round here. Everyone looks after us.

“When elderly people are around they like to talk. If they have any problems, we talk to them. If they need any help, we are there.”

In their retirement, however, Jay and Sue, who have two grown-up children, will not stray far as they live in nearby Tucker Street.

“We would like to thank all of our customers and neighbours who have been so close to us and helpful,” said Jay. “And since we are living in the same community, we will always keep in touch with them.”

They also praised Gillian Muggeridge, who has helped them in the shop in the past two years.

Jay said: “She's helpful to everyone around here. She's the most important person for us. Any problems she's been there for us.”

Gillian, who lives in Watford Field Road, in turn described the Patels as “pillars of the community”.

She said: “They have always been there if anyone needed any help. They would always make sure older people got their shopping or a paper if they weren't well. They looked after everybody.”