Longstanding owners of a newsagents in Roehampton were met with cheers from customers when they closed-up shop for the final time.
Married couple, Hari and Marie Thakrar, were given a send-off by grateful neighbours on Wednesday (Feb 10), who gathered on the street to say goodbye after 33 years.
The Thakrar’s have run Roehampton High Street Post office since 1986 but decided recently it was time to wind down.
On their last shift, members from the Roehampton Quadrant Residents Association – which consist of Rodway Road, Nepean Street, Akehurst Street and Umbria Street – showed their support from a social distance.
Hari and Marie on their final day at work
They gave the couple a standing ovation and a gift voucher to mark their retirement.
Mr Thakrar, from Harrow, said “words can’t describe” the emotion he felt on Wednesday.
“I came out when I closed at 1 o’clock and everyone had come out despite the cold weather to clap. It’s something I’ll never forget in my life – my wife even started crying.”
The father-of-two says he’s nurtured a close relationship with the community over the years.
“When I go to work it’s like I’m serving my friends, not customers. Everyone is so nice, it’s been a fantastic journey. We talk about their children’s education, holidays, marriages, we share pictures.”
Mr Thakrar plans to “take it easy for a little while” in his retirement, but he added:
“I have friends who have asked me to work a few days at their post office. There’s always something to do.”
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