A man believed to own the longest running business has told the secrets of his four decade long success.

Kulwant Singh Patpatia or Mr Pat, 74, moved to Medway from India when he was 18 years old.

Many think he has the longest running business on Chatham High Street and is the oldest shop owner.

He has owned, El Toba a leather clothes shop, for 44 years.

As soon as a customer enters the shop Mr Pat instantly knows the fit and colour they will buy.

Mr Pat said:"The Irish people will come in and they only buy green and all the people from Eastern Europe will only buy red.

"A well-off customer will always go for tanned or coloured, because they've already got half a dozen jackets in their wardrobe

"If you haven't got the cash you will go for black because it to matches everything."

In 1974 he established El Toba in the high street but two years later his shop was demolished to create Allders which was later Debenhams.

Mr Pat took a chance and became one of the first shops in the Pentagon centre, in 1976.

He said: "It was called the golden mile because it was one of the first shopping centres in Kent

"Coaches of people used to come from France and Belgium, I would have about 400-600 people in the shop at a time.

"I used to sell about 400 jackets a week. Now I only sell 30."

From the 1990's Mr Pat has observed the decline in Chatham High Street.

The father of six said: "It's so derelict here.

"Marks and Spencers left and it's all gone down hill from there.

"People don't want to shop here any more, they want to go to Bluewater (shopping centre).

"I've got a jacket for £100 and they sell the jacket in Bluewater in Zara for £300, Mango or All Saints.

"If you look at the high street now it's all deserted and that's because Medway Council is the worst council in the country.

"They spent money on the Dockside, then Bluewater came and no one shops here any more.

"Also there's nowhere to park and take deliveries."

Residents who are part of the Medway Together Facebook Group have shared their memories of shopping at El Toba.

Jeremy Bridgestock Prince said: "I got a burgundy leather box jacket from their in 1982. "

Jenny Holt said: "I bought my first leather jacket from their with my first pay check.

"That was in 1990 and I still have the jacket."