Jignesh Patel in Queen’s Crescent

REGULARS at a Queen’s Crescent newsagents threw a party to say goodbye to the shopkeeper who had worked there for nearly 50 years.

Jignesh Patel, 59, began helping out at his family’s business, Shreeji News­agents, in Malden Road, when he was 11 before taking on the management with his wife, Neha, when his parents passed away.

They had come to the UK in 1975 and taken on the shop the following year.

“It was and is a community shop, and has never been for profit but more customer-oriented. We are a family here, and this is a relationship you build over the years – our customers know us and we know them,” said Mr Patel, as he explained how he had now decided to retire.

He said that while Shreeji was changing hands, he hoped people would still use it. Mr Patel said: “It’s important the community shop survives, I never had the intention of walking away but for my health it is time for me to go.”

Mr Patel with his wife Neha

He said owning and running the newsagents has not been an easy ride. Last summer, the nearby primary school St Dominic’s closed down which he said had a devastating impact on the shop’s trade.

Mr Patel said: “Times were difficult when the school closed down, it was a big hit, as the school brought mums into the shop, and you knew you were going to be busy in the mornings and afternoons.”

Another time of difficulty was during the Covid pandemic when Mr Patel, with the help of his wife and two children, were delivering goods to their customers. For his elderly customers, this was a lifeline, and the deliveries were all free of charge.

Mr Patel said: “I’d never ask for money in return, but customers would always pay me in their own way, sometimes with flowers or little presents.”

The party for Jignesh and Neha was held at the Blackfriars Hall next to St Dominic’s church to thank him and his family for all his hard work and dedication to the community.

The farewell party for the couple

Mr Patel said: “It was a great turnout, and very special to see my customers make the effort to come by.”

He said that he hoped in his retirement his health will improve and he can use the time to take a well-deserved trip away.

On leaving the Malden Road area he said he was “more than sad to leave”, adding: “This last week customers have been coming in crying and saying goodbye. It makes you feel that you can’t leave and whether I made the right decision to go.”

But Mr Patel assured his loyal customers that the shop is going nowhere.

He said: “The shop will always be here, it is the heart and soul of the community. I want to thank my customers for all they have done and their loyalty to us. It means the world.”