‘One of the kindest’ Bob marks 90th birthday at shop he’s run for 50 years
HUNDREDS of shoppers wished a popular Cheltenham shopkeeper well for his 90th birthday.
Bob Webley celebrated his big day on December 23 and planned to mark it at the corner store he has kept for decades.
And although he was allowing himself a day off for Christmas Day, he was due to be back at work on Boxing Day, putting away his festive stock until next year.
Bob told the Echo’s sister website Gloucestershire Live that he “has no plans for retirement”, adding: “Why would you retire if you love what you do? Just to watch more telly?”
Mr Webley took on The Corner Shop – near the roundabout where Bath Road meets Leckhampton Road and Shurdington Road – more than five decades ago.
He has run the business and lived in the flat upstairs ever since, joined for the last four decades by his wife Eloisa. They have a son, Simon, and a daughter, Angie.
“I was employed by a shop in Stroud for 18 years and wanted to do something else,” said Mr Webley. “This place was going for a good price and had accommodation upstairs, too.”
The shop is an Aladdin’s cave of toys, stationery and gifts.
Little about the business has changed over the past half-century.
“We still sell more toys than anything,” Bob said. “Kites have become popular again recently, so I’ve got them in and sold a fair few. The big change has been them building the road down to the motorway.
“That’s brought in a lot more traffic – too much of it, really – though it has brought me some more customers, too. But keeping a shop is still quite straightforward, and I still enjoy it.”
The store has more or less been Mr Webley’s life.
“I haven’t really found time for hobbies,” he admitted. “The shop is enough for me, and it’s a fairly easy job.
“The only bit I don’t like is doing the accounts. It’s hard to find the time because I’m still here, there and everywhere – at the cash and carry or buying stock on the south coast.”
As for his long life, the shopkeeper says he has no secret recipe – no superfood or daily drink.
“That stuff nearly killed me, so I stopped,” he said.
“I won’t be teetotal on Christmas Day, though,” he added. “I’ll have a sherry or two – I might even share it!”
A post about the milestone birthday on Cheltenham Noticeboard had attracted almost 1,000 likes, more than 200 shares and over 200 comments as of December 22.
Most were wishing the well-liked shopkeeper many happy returns, while others reminisced about visiting his shop over the decades.
“Mr Webley is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” said Amy Seddon. “I always went into his shop as a child and teenager and we would have good long chats.”
Nicola Dyer recalled: “I loved coming to your shop when I was little, every time I visited my nan who lived just up the road. Hope you’re having the best day.”
Keisha Mccaffrey commented: “I used to come into your shop as a young girl with my nana as we walked up and down the Bath Road charity shops religiously!”
And Denise Hamilton recalled: “Little Jamie and I had so many hours of fun in your shop – all his soldiers, his first bike, robots, lots of lovely pressies.”
She added: “Happy upcoming birthday Mr Bob. Thank you for being there all through Jamie’s childhood.”
Mr Webley’s daughter-in-law, Jackie Webley, 35, wrote the well-received Facebook post. She was delighted at the instant, enormous and heartfelt response.
“I’m really amazed,” she said. “I knew it would get a good response because Bob is so loved, but I didn’t anticipate quite so many likes or comments.”
Mr Webley called the Christmas break “another milestone”, but added that he intended to be back at work on Boxing Day, getting ready for 2022.
“What else can you do after two days off?” he said. “They just show all the same films I’ve seen before anyway.”