The owner of a popular corner shop plans to keep working “for as long as her body allows” as she celebrates 40 years in business.
Bella Patel took over Savers Newsagents in Faversham Road, Kennington, with her late husband John in June 1984.
The pair moved to Ashford from Croydon after they were made redundant from their jobs in London.
They used the redundancy money to buy the business from former owner Charlie Carter after he decided to retire.
Despite reaching retirement age herself, Mrs Patel, 68, says she has no plans to sell up.
“I have been here for 40 years and I'm quite grateful the customers have kept me going,” she said.
“Some customers are more like friends, they will help me unload the car if I need it.
“It doesn't feel like I have been here 40 years, I feel old, but it doesn't feel that long.
“I've got no intention of retiring yet but it all depends on my body. All the time my body works I will carry on.”
For the past 21 years, Mrs Patel has run the business by herself following her husband's death from a brain tumour.
She works long hours and only takes a day off at Christmas or for family events, but is helped by four members of staff including Justina Stevens and Bev Duncan.
Former employee Daphne Stevens, 87, who left during lockdown after dedicating 50 years to the shop, also stops by to help out when she can.
Mrs Patel says she has adapted over the years to make sure she has the newest items in stock to keep people coming back.
But it has also meant having to make some changes.
The delicatessen which once stood at the back of the shop is now gone and Mrs Patel has cut down on the number of groceries on offer.
“People’s eating habits have changed, people aren't cooking anymore so the grocery side of things is a dying trade,” she explained.
“Youngsters are a different style now too, they don't read papers any more.
“I think there will be a lot of changes over the next five to 10 years.
“When we first started The Sun newspaper was only about 20p, now it's £1.
“Bread was 80p or 90p, now you spend about £1.50 on it.
“Milk was cheap, you could get it for about 30p a pint, it’s about 80p now.
“Everything is rising, and that's why it is very difficult for customers.
“They have to shop around now to look for cheap stuff.
“Let's hope we can carry on through it and that they keep supporting us.”
In 2003, Co-op opened a new convenience store just across the road from Mrs Patel where The Colt pub once stood.
At first, Mrs Patel worried about what this might mean for her business, but says the chain's arrival actually sent more trade her way.
“The Co-op used to have a store where its funeral shop is now in Faversham Road,” she said.
“When the pub went bust, the Co-op applied to move there.
“We thought it would cause us trouble but it didn't so we were lucky.
“People say the Co-op is more expensive than we are so they come to us instead.
“Customers still come in today saying that they miss The Colt.”
Having welcomed generations through the door, Mrs Patel says trouble is kept to a minimum as she knows most people in the community.
She has only recently had to limit the number of schoolchildren entering the shop at one time in a bid to stamp out any anti-social behaviour.
“We once had 14 to 15 kids come in at once,” she explained.
“It can be a job to keep an eye on them.
“Other than that, in 40 years we have had no other issues, and touch wood it stays that way.”
