A local family who ran a Peterborough convenience store for 19 years bid farewell to its customers last week. 

The Kuchhadia family have served the local community since 2005 when they first purchased Werrington Convenience Store. 

The daughter of Bhima and Nilu Kuchhadia, who ran the store with Jiva and Hira Modhwadia, said the decision to hand over the shop had been a "bittersweet decision". 

Maya Kuchhadia, who will continue to work at the store under its new owners, said it had been "an honour" for her family to serve the community for "so long."

She told Peterborough Matters: "My dad has retired now as his health hasn't been great over the last couple of years. 

"We did think about moving during Covid but we really felt like that kind of change for the community wouldn't be good, so we decided to stay. 

"But it's got to the stage where my parents want to rest now after more than a decade of hard work, and I'm really just looking for a nine to give job." 

Maya's family purchased the shop when she was 16-years-old and explains that bonds began to form with the local community almost immediately. 

She said: "We became the hub of the neighbourhood and served everyone from the elderly to school children.

"From chatting to customers to taking part in a number of charity parades, we put serving the community front and centre. 

"It's felt like we've been part of a giant family these past 19 years. We knew all the customers by first name and it never really felt like work. We'd constantly be meeting new people and making friends." 

Werrington Convenience Store opened a Post Office branch in 2013, a vital service which further expanded its reach in the community. 

It also offered services to support locals at the height of the Covid pandemic, including home delivery and assistance for those anxious about visiting the store while social distancing guidelines were in force.  

Maya added: "It has been a true privilege to be a part of this community for over a decade.

"This decision has been bittersweet for us, as this shop has been more than just a business - it’s been a part of our family, and each customer we've served has made it feel like home.

"While it’s hard to say goodbye, we’re excited for the shop’s future and confident that it will remain in good hands. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the love, kindness, and memories over the years."