IT has been 30 years to the day since Bewdley Farm Shop owner Tony Thompson took a leap of faith and sold his pride and joy limited edition Mini to buy a fruit and veg business in Dog Lane.
Tony was just 17 years old when he first drove over from Wordsley - where he still lives with wife-of-25-years Sam - to help out then owner Alan Evans by taking on a few shifts over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
The shop was first established in 1980, having previously being used as a blacksmith and a coach house to the nearby George Hotel.
Mr Evans offered Tony a full-time job, which he accepted, but later that year made the decision to sell the business and retire.
In what started out as a joke, Mr Evans asked his assistant if he wanted to buy the shop, prompting Tony to make the difficult decision to sell his brand new jet black Mini and use the money as a deposit.
Thirty years later - as of May 14 - father-of-two Tony remains in love with the job, still waking up at 2.30am most days to get to markets in Birmingham before commuting to Bewdley.
The 49-year-old told The Shuttle: "I came down to help out as a shop worker one weekend, not expecting to be here for 30 years.
"I was a young man at the time so I didn't have a lot of money.
"I sold my car and bought business and what started out as a one man band has grown into a team of 16 staff.
"Over the years, we've built it up into a considerable business."
Bewdley Farm Shop now supplies food to shops, schools, pubs, restaurants and care homes across the area, as well as to West Midland Safari Park and the Severn Valley Railway.
"The business has grown but we've never diverted from what we do best and that is fruit, veg, fish, flowers and jams," said Tony.
"We've built up a big customer base through good quality products and our good name and we've had a couple of extensions to the shop to accommodate the extra business.
"Over the years, we've built a rapport with residents and businesses and built up quite a portfolio with the local farmers that supply us."
Tony and the Farm Shop team were due to celebrate the milestone with a party with family and loyal customers on May 16, but the event had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Like many businesses, Bewdley Farm Shop has been forced to adapt during the pandemic, reducing its opening hours and stepping up its deliveries.
Tony said: "We've always delivered to the private sector so that has just extended due to people on lockdown. We're doing roughly 60 to 80 deliveries a day to people and businesses in the area."
He added: "I still love the job. Hopefully when this is over, we'll be able to celebrate properly."
Bewdley Farm Shop is open from 8am to 4pm Tuesdays to Saturdays during the pandemic.
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