A family behind an off licence which has helped its customers through both happy and difficult times are retiring after almost 40 years of service.

M&B Newsagents has been a focal part of daily life, on the corner of Rosebery Road and Garfield Road, in Gillingham, since 1986.

It was this year Mick and Brenda Corcoran bought the shop from Gillingham Football Club and renamed it.

After Brenda passed away in 1997, Mick struggled to run it alone and his daughter Karen stepped in.

Later, her husband David Gentle, a road builder, joined her behind the counter.

From the start, he discovered that working in the shop — chatting with customers, hearing their stories, and being part of the community — was something he loved doing, and so in 2003, the couple bought the shop from Karen’s dad.

"You live their lives," David said, describing how he saw customers through both happy and difficult times.

He made an effort to connect with everyone, offering free lollipops to children who could answer his timetable questions, and talking football with older customers, especially about his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.

"One day, they’ll win a trophy," he joked. "And when they do, I’ll come back and put a banner up!"

Then, adopting a more serious tone, he added: "You need to have about 10 different personalities because every customer is different."

But running a newsagent in the town has not been without its challenges for the pair.

The couple spent thousands on updating security at the shop after a raid in 2012, when an armed robber fled with more than £1,000.

Then, three years later a bungled raid at the shop once again hit the headlines when a robber held a knife to Karen’s throat, demanding money.

She and David refused to give in, and the would-be thief left empty-handed.

After the incident back in 2015, they were asked whether they would consider selling because of what had happened but it only strengthened their resolve and Karen instantly dismissed the idea, describing it as an ”occupational hazard”.

However, three weeks ago, Karen’s father passed away.

The next day, someone made an unexpected offer to buy and take over the running of the shop and David saw it as fate making the decision for them.

For Karen, 58, leaving the shop is hard to describe and she says she doesn’t "know how I feel".

She and David met at school when they were 11, became sweethearts at 15, and have been side by side ever since — at home, at work, and in life.

They raised two children, Colin and Lucy, in the flat above the shop, with their German Shepherds, Max and Hugo, keeping watch behind the counter.

When David was diagnosed with endocarditis, a rare heart condition, during the Covid pandemic, their family stepped in to keep the business running.

"We’re good at picking ourselves up," he said.

Expanding and refurbishing the shop in 2015 as part of a £150,000 refit stands out as one of their proudest moments.

But ultimately they say nothing compares to the people — the customers who became friends, the staff who stayed loyal, and the sense of belonging the shop created.

At its peak, Karen and David delivered 150 newspapers to local homes, which dwindled to 26 by the end.

You’ve been part of our lives, and we will miss you all

Asked what the key to their success was, David puts it down to both luck and honesty.

"We’re lucky because we’re decent people, and we’ve been rewarded for that,” he said.

As to what is next for the couple, Karen laughs before adding: "Plans? A fat rest!"

Golf, holidays, and finally renovating the house they bought two years ago but never had time to fix are high on the agenda.

This Sunday (March 16), they will gather with staff, past and present, for a final farewell.

Before stepping away, they want to thank everyone who made the journey worthwhile.

"To our staff, past and present, thank you for your hard work, support, and friendship over the years — we couldn’t have done it without you,” they said.

“To our customers, thank you for your kindness and loyalty.

“You’ve been part of our lives, and we will miss you all.”