AS a Swindon business centre celebrated 30 years in the town, one of the longest serving residents was saying goodbye.

The Bizspace BSS House business centre prepared a special presentation for Chris Rothwell, 71, whose company Thamesair has been based at the centre since it opened.

The pneumatic equipment stockist has been bought by Oxford-based M F Hydraulics and will continue to operate from BSS House, but Chris is looking forward to a well-earned retirement.

“Retirement will be a very dramatic change for me and I will miss the companionship, as well as the intellectual challenge, that comes with running a business,” he said.

“I left school at 16 and have been an engineer for more than 50 years. Thamesair began life in 1980 and moved to BSS House shortly afterwards and I have been here since 1990.

“It was such a lovely gesture of Bizspace to present me with an engraved wine toolkit and bottle of wine, which is something that’s a passion of mine. We see the team every day and they always have a friendly word. They have been fantastic landlords.”

Chris plans to play plenty of golf after he retires at the end of April and will begin researching his family history.

“One thing everyone will miss about Chris is his singing,” said Jane Kirk, centre manager at BSS House.

“He would often sing to himself while he was using the photocopier or walking through the centre and it was lovely to hear.

"We wish him all the best in his retirement and are very pleased that Thamesair will be remaining here at BSS House."

Chris added: “While it’s a strange feeling to see my business in new hands, I am trying not to get emotionally involved and I am confident that the new owners will bring exciting opportunities for the company.”

Thamesair has occupied three different units during its 30 years at BSS House as the needs of the business have changed and developed.

For more information visit www.bizspace.co.uk