Mr Behesh Pandya has served his local community by running the local post office and shop for 31 and a half years with his family. Saturday 29th November 2014, will mark the start of his retirement. I interviewed him to find out about his childhood dream, his loyal customers and why he will never leave his business behind.

Mr Pandya, have you enjoyed your time here at Park Avenue News?

Yes, very much. When I took over the shop, I took over the post office as well and I loved it because I enjoy working with the public. When they come in I get to listen to their stories; lots of them from the wars and also from the Raj, you know? I was born in Nairobi and studied in India, so I have a lot of stories. Before I brought the shop, I used to work in Sainsbury’s, but I always wanted to own my own business. Also, I was awarded the Bravery Award from the Post Office for saving them a lot of money! I have lots of certificates and things like that! I used to have the ambition of becoming my own boss and I have been able to make that happen. I wouldn’t like to have done anything else; this has always been my dream.

Do you have customers that you know because they come regularly?

Oh yes, lots of people: old people, young people. I’ve seen generations grown up here and now their children come too. Also old paper boys and paper girls that come back with their children and ask me to put their name on the list for paper rounds.

Do you think that running a business like this is important for the community?

Very important. On Thursdays there used to be people that would come and meet each other once a week outside the shop at 8 o’clock before it opened. It was like a meeting place. And I keep an eye on the customers, look out for them and realise if I haven’t seen them when they usually come regularly. In fact, twice we have notified the police about customers that we hadn’t seen because they had no one else to look out for them, and they had died. My customers are not like customers to me, they are like friends. They come in and we can crack a joke.

What will your customers do when you retire?

Every day I have tears in my eyes when my customers come in and tell me that it’s now their responsibility to look out for me. They are all my friends and they’ll come round and have a cup of tea and biscuits (because they know I love biscuits). I am not going to move, so they will always be able to find me here. On Saturday we’ve invited all of the customers to come here to celebrate with drinks and we’ll have a party with them.

What will you do after Saturday?

I want to become a child again; spend time with my children and play with my grandchildren. They grow up too quickly! I will stay in this area because I know all the people – there’s the hospital nearby, doctors, bus stop just outside. I have all I need. My son is going to convert the shop and extend our home (his family live above the shop). He said then I’ll be able to walk out of my door and be surrounded by all my friends and people that know me. I have built my business and now this is my palace and I am going to be the king and live here!

Regular customer Sylvia Steel told me that Mr Pandya “has always been so kind and helpful – especially when the post office was there. I’ll be sad to see him go.”

But, of course, as Mr Pandya told me himself, he won’t be going anywhere after he officially retires on Saturday. He has worked to create a life and business for himself and his family here in Hounslow for almost half his live, so now it’s time for him to step back and reap the rewards of his hard work by spending time with his family and the friends he has made along the way.

By Eleanor Kate Duce, Gumley House Convent School