After 16 years of running the local convenience store, Benny and Rupal Vyas are switching their 4am alarm clocks for a new life in Crawley.

The couple took over The Handy Store in Wateringbury in 2005 and since then it has become a staple in the community with Mr and Mrs Vyas known for their selfless acts supporting their community.

Over the years they have collected money for local schools and community projects, and even saved the day with a 24 pack of beer when the village ran out of alcohol during a charity fundraiser with snooker player Jimmy White.

During the pandemic, staff from the store in Bow Terrace went out of their way to make sure their customers had all the supplies they needed with doorstep deliveries.

Mr Vyas said: "When we first started we didn't know how to do anything. We made around £3,500 a week but now we make about £10,000 a week.

"With Covid, it was so disappointing when people couldn’t get what they needed but I tried to get everything for customers like bread and milk.

"We took deliveries to doors for the first six months so nobody went without."

Looking back on fond memories, the 44-year-old said one day he will never forget is running the shop when the Tour de France came through the village in 2007.

Bringing with it a £40 million boost to the local economy, 189 riders set off from London and headed south weaving through the county towards the finishing line in Canterbury.

On August 29, their last official day, they handed over the keys to the new owner Kamal Dave, 43, who promises to serve the community the same way and keep The Handy Store the buzzing community hub it has developed into.

Scores of families turned up to say an emotional 'thank you and goodbye' to the couple.

Mr Vyas said: "My wife was in tears, it was one of the best moments of my life.

"I have never seen that many people support me and I’m going to miss them all when we move."

They were given an honorary scarf and toggle from Wateringbury scouts, an original painting of The Mill Pond by village artist Thomas Best-Shaw, and a £400 voucher for John Lewis, to be spent on their new home.

The presentation was made by village ward Cllr Sarah Hudson who says Mr and Mrs Vyas have been 'fantastic stalwarts' of the community.

She added: "They have gone above and beyond, helping so many people during lockdown and supportive of so many village groups.

"They have handed the baton over to Mr and Mrs Dave, and I wish both couples every success."

Mr Vyas says he will still be in the village helping out for another two weeks before moving some time around September 20 to be closer to family.

At the moment they don't have any plans to open a store in West Sussex, but will think about their career prospects after a well deserved two month break and a trip to India.

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