A COUPLE who have run a village shop for 35 years have retired.

Ben and Wendy Griffiths, who ran the B & W Griffiths newsagents in Llansantffraid retired at the end of last week after more than three decades running the shop.

Their retirement marks the end of an era in Llansantffraid.

They will be much missed by their regular customers who are sad to see the end of an era, which came to a close at the end of June.

The Griffiths’s sold many copies of sister papers the County Times and Oswestry Advertizer across the three decades.

One of those customers, County Times reader Robert Jones-Perrott, also of Llansantffraid, has written in to pay tribute to the couple who have served the village, and neighbouring Llanfechain, since the 1970’s.

Mr Jones-Perrott said: “I have lived much of my life in Llanfechain and Llansantffraid.

“I have always supported local people and their businesses.

“I am sure that I speak for many people when I say we were all so sad to hear that Ben and Wendy Griffiths are retiring after 35 years as our newsagent and village store.

“They have been an enormous asset to the village, always opening very early with a cheerful smile.

“It is a pleasure to go into the shop and my six grandchildren always regarded going to Ben’s as a great treat.”

He added: “We will miss them.

“Our grateful thanks to you both for your contribution and to village life and for being a hive of information for local activities.

“We wish you both a very happy retirement.”