92-year-old Stone Cross shopkeeper celebrates 50 years in same shop - and has no plans to retire yet

He has seen neighbouring businesses come, and business go, but one constant is that Bobby will be opening his shop up every day at 9am, except Sundays when he has a lie in and opens at 10am.

He said: "I've been here the longest on the block, everyone knows me, I try and help people out as much as I can.

"Coming to work is part of my life, I've thought about retiring once or twice but I just take every day as it comes."

Bobby put his longevity down to his customers. He said: "I like the people of Stone Cross, they are down to earth and have been very nice to me. They come to me for car parts and car problems."

Bobby came to the UK in 1955 aged 19 and after working in Hardy Spicer he served in the Army for his National Service.

He said: "I was one of the original Windrush generation. I had to go to Cyprus with the Army - I enjoyed my time doing National Service, it did me good."

On his return Bobby married and started a family in Handsworth Wood.

He said: "My wife has passed now, but I have six sons. I'm not sure how many grandchildren I have though these days."

He worked in various factories before taking a job at Stone Cross Motor Spares.

He said: "I worked for someone else for eight years but then I bought the business, and have been my own boss since."

The car industry has totally changed in the last 50 years with the Birmingham-based motor industry dying out and the increase in imported cars.

However, Bobby is not making the move into electric cars at his age.

He said: "I don't know much about electric cars to tell you the truth. People come in for parts for their cars, from windscreen wipers to everything else. If I've not got it, I'll get it for them."

And he has shunned selling car parts online and does not have a website, preferring the personal touch.

He said: "I treat everyone with the utmost respect, and I think people like that about me. I wish I could say I could remember the names of all my customers but I can't these days."

Bobby has seen the fortunes of Stone Cross change over the decades.

"There have been ups and downs but that is just the way it is."

His shop has never been burgled either: "I think it is because everyone knows who I am, so I have not been burgled or robbed."

He did have his car stolen though, he said. "I drive a banger now, I used to have a nice car, but when I was helping a lady outside the shop someone took my keys and stole my car.

"So I thought 'I'm not having that again', so I drive a banger now, I can leave the keys in it and no-one would take it.

"I keep working because it is part of my life."

The last time Bobby went back to his hometown Kingston was 35 years ago, and he does not think he will return.

"At my age I don't want to take the risk of any big trips. My health is OK, but I don't want to take any risks."

Bobby is beloved by his customers. Christina Fortune said: "Bobby is a legend. An inspiration to so many in his community, to still be working in his 90s is amazing, Stone Cross would not be the same without him."