A commitment to the customer always being right has paid off for one family butchers which celebrated 30 years of trading last week.

Stenton Family Butchers opened its Aldensley Road shop in May 1983 and John Stenton, who has been a butcher in the borough for almost 40 years, attributes his success to his staff’s excellent customer service and his loyal patrons.

A grandfather-of-five, Mr Stenton, said: “The customers are my boss and I’ve the best boss in the world. They have kept the door open. If it wasn’t for their loyalty we wouldn’t still be here. I love to do what I do, I love my job and I love coming to work.

“When people come in they have this invisible wall around them but as you talk to them and get to know them, that wall drops and you start to build relationships. Customers quickly develop into friends. Neighbours who have moved out of the area, still come back to us because they know us and trust us.”

The Hammersmith shop is very much a family affair as Mr Stenton runs it with his wife, Lena, and all four of their children have worked behind the counter at one stage or another.

The Stentons family has also shown a philanthropic side, raising about £50,000 for charities over the years.

It has become tradition each year for a staff or family member to take part in the Great North Run, as well as organise raffles and take part in many other fundraising endeavours to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, Harefield Hospital, Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre and Whizz-Kidz.

Mr Stenton, said: “We’ve all come into contact with cancer, I lost my father to it but there was a young lady, who I called Jojo, who lived down the road. She was 32 years old, was fit and healthy but contracted cancer and died only a year after having a baby.

“That was so unfair and it really kick-started me into fundraising for Macmillan. Everyone who has worked for us has done the Great North Run at least two or three times. Next year, the shop manager Perry and I will be doing the London Marathon again. We have customers who are quite happy to support us.”

On Saturday, Mr and Mrs Stenton hosted a 30th birthday party outside the shop which was attended by friends, family and neighbours.

They also presented their latest cheque to Macmillan for £1,500.