SHOPKEEPERS said a “tearful” goodbye to the community at their retirement tea party earlier this month.

Ron and Jas Khuman, who ran Winton Stores in Old Winton Road, for the last 16 years are passing on the family business to their son Simreendeep, and hosted a farewell party outside the shop on Monday, 7 May.

The couple, 61 and 62, now hope to enjoy the garden and take a break as they move back to Southall in London.

Mrs Khuman said: “It was great we had a very big turnout, but it was also very emotional, I’m very grateful to our customers - I wouldn’t say customers anymore, I would say my family members, friends, neighbours, acquaintances.

“They made us feel so welcome when we first moved, they helped us a lot.

“It was the best time of our working lives definitely I never regretted it once never looked back once happiest time of work.”

Simreendeep, 29, will now take over the business he already knows “inside out”.

Mrs Khuman added: “My son was with us all along he worked alongside us, he knows the business inside out we have full faith in him doing the same job if not better. He’s young blood, hopefully he will carry the legacy of his parents in a better way.

“I just hope the customers will carry on supporting my son as they did to us, which they already are. They are loyal, I’m missing them a lot, I do miss Andover, I do miss my customers, my business but life has to go on. Now we’re just enjoying the garden.”