Wolverhampton pet shop gets new owner
He's worked his way up from Saturday boy to owner and manager.
But now, after 50 years' hard work at his beloved pet shop, Rob Patheyjohns is stepping down from Small Livestock Supplies Ltd.
The business, on Queen Street, Wolverhampton, has been in his family since 1939, originally managed by his uncle before being passed onto his father.
Mr Patheyjohns, 66, from Penn, started as a 16-year-old Saturday boy in 1965 before working his way up to become owner and manager.
"It's obviously been a big part of my life since I was 16, but the day has come to finally say goodbye," he said.
"I didn't do very well at school and my dad let me work at the shop to make ends meet. I fell into it really and told him I'd only give him three years, and here I am today.
"My kids, wife, uncles, cousins and aunties have all worked here. We've ran out of family we can call upon.
"It's the right time to pass it over, we're very happy to have the chance to be enjoying a new chapter in our lives."
Mr Patheyjohns eventually took over the shop in around 1980 when his father fell ill. His wife Jennifer, a former nurse at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, also helps out.
She said: "It was a sad day for us both, but life is too short, we've both worked hard and now have a lot planned for our future."
He said ever since he's known how to drive he's been in the shop every day, apart from the odd holiday, with Christmas Days being no exception.
New hobbies such as golf, guitar lessons, art classes and even cooking are now going to be taking up his time.
He added: "I'm intelligent enough to know when to retire. My kids have grown up so it's now our time to enjoy the high life and pursue other interests, something which we aim to do, for starters planning a holiday soon."
The shop was taken over by Minders Pet Suppliers over the weekend.
