Real London: The newsagent

Perry Thaker, 42, keeps the residents and workers of Charlotte Street in W1 happy by selling daily papers, chocolate and greeting cards. He really loves London and misses it when he's away but don't get him started on the Congestion Charge!...

Where do you live and why? I live in Tooting. I’ve lived there for 26 years. My family is there and I’m really happy. It was the first place I moved to when I came to this country.

What advice would you give to a tourist in London?
To make sure you go and see as many of the sites as possible. I think it’s safe to go out and explore in London — it’s what I call an honest place. Get out there — there are so many things to see!

What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I’d get rid of the £5 congestion charge — it’s ruining businesses and has had an effect on mine. I’d also give the transport a shake-up and make it cheaper.

What is your favourite thing about working in Charlotte Street?
The atmosphere — it’s always lively and you never get bored. When people move away from this area they always come back to visit. They can’t resist it.

Where did you last go on holiday?
I’ve just been to Tunisia. Did I like it? No, I did not. The people there weren’t honest with the prices, it was dirty and the food wasn’t nice — it wasn’t tasty. It is a beautiful place though, but one week would have been enough. My favourite place for a holiday is Spain — I go there a lot.

What was the last CD you bought?
I don’t really get time to sit down and listen to music because I’m always so busy but I do listen to Capital Radio when I’m in the car.

What do you miss most when you’re out of London?
I just can’t help it but if I go away on holiday to Spain after one week I start to miss London. I miss being busy and how the time goes fast here. Wherever you are, after a certain amount of time, you start to miss London.

What is your life philosophy?
Don’t go into my business! I certainly wouldn’t want my children doing it. It’s hard work — although things have got better since I moved to Charlotte Street because I don’t have to work weekends anymore.

Do you have a favourite pub?
I love Jamie’s Wine Bar — I always go there. I prefer wine bars to pubs.

What other jobs have you had?
I was an electronic engineer for nine-and-a-half years and then a friend of mine put me in this business and I’ve been here ever since!

What’s your favourite chocolate bar and why?
The only chocolate bar I eat is Bounty because I love coconut. I only eat the blue one though. When you’re looking at chocolate all day long it puts you off.

What celebrities have you served in the shop?
Ha! There have been so many in here. I’ve seen Lesley Grantham (Dirty Den from EastEnders), Del Boy, Dale Winton and Mel Smith comes in here quite a bit — I think he must live around here.

What time do you start work in the morning?

I have to get up early whether it’s summer or winter. I start here at 6.30am or 7am if I have a late start!

Which would you prefer and why? No cars in London, no pigeons or no other newsagents?

I’d definitely prefer for there to be no other newsagents! Then I would do really well. Anyway, I’m not a fan of the traffic-free idea and I don’t mind pigeons!

Find Perry at Charlotte Street News, 66 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4QE