The man behind a much-loved New Addington pet shop is calling it a day.

For the past 39 years, Ken Burgess has made a living selling birds, reptiles, small animals and tropical fish at the Burgess Boys pet shop.

But with plans to retire, he has put the shop up for sale.

He is confident that his legacy will live on without him.

"Burgess Boys runs without me,” he said.

“I do a lot of profile-raising work but the staff are all experts in animal husbandry, and they are the people the customers come in to see."

Over the years it has become a fixture of the New Addington community, having a hand in everything from children’s painting competitions to giving work to local students.

But animals hasn't always been the focus of things.

After buying the business in 1979 it had already been trading as a pet and garden supplies shop for 20 years.

But after taking over, Mr Burgess decided to concentrate almost exclusively on pets, although the business does still sell bedding plants.

The business was renamed “Burgess Boys” at his wife’s suggestion in honour of their three – at the time – young sons.

But running a pet store isn't as easy as it sounds, and Mr Burgess thinks whoever decides to take his place will need to have a few key qualities.

“I would say that a new owner would need to have a passion for animals, and a common-sense approach to retail, but the staff would be able to run the shop for them on a day-to-day basis," he said.

"I would also be happy to assist for however long it takes for them to get their feet under the table.”