Mr Eric Garner is given three cheers by some of his newsboys and girls. New owner Mr Gerald Skoyles shakes his hand.

Newsagent Mr Eric Garner and his wife Barbara retired on Sunday from the business they established 17 years ago.

During that time at their newsagent’s shop in Station Road, Rushden, Mr Garner (59), and his 42-year-old wife have delivered daily and average of one and a half thousand papers.

Mr Garner, who used to work as a welder in Bedford explained: “For the past 17 years we have been getting up at five every morning and during that time I have never had a day off with illness.

Easier
He added: “I feel very heavy-hearted about leaving but I’m looking forward to an easier life and a bit more leisure time.”

Helping him in the delivery of his papers was his squad of 26 newsboys and girls, of whom he was particularly proud. “While I’ve been working here I’ve had hundreds of boys and girls working for me and I’m very grateful to them all,” he said.

Help
Although he officially left last Sunday Mr Garner has stayed at his shop throughout the week to help the new owner, fellow newsagent Mr Gerald Skoyles, settle in. Mr Skoyles owns a newsagents shop in Rushden’s Wellingborough Road.

Mr Garner said: “Rushden has been very good to me and my customers have been good to me, many of whom are my personal friends.