Derek Lewis, left, and Gerry Glickman celebrate the dual milestone. Picture: Tony Gay

The Queen might be marking 60 years on the throne this year, but she can’t hold a candle to a Tottenham institution which is celebrating two milestones in 2012.

Glickman’s hardware store held a double celebration marking 80 years trading on the High Road and 50 years behind the counter for current manager Derek Lewis with a party at Tottenham Community Sports Centre.

About 80 customers and suppliers packed out the venue to congratulate Glickman’s - believed to be the oldest independent shop on the High Road today - some of whom remember the original faces behind the counter.

Mr Glickman Jr, 86, was on hand to raise a glass to the DIY store his parents opened in January 1932, which he ran himself until 1998 when he left it in Mr Lewis’ capable hands - hands which began working in the shop aged just 13 on June 24, 1962.

Mr Lewis explained: “I had committed my parents to a bill for a school trip to the Costa Brava without them knowing. It was £21, which was three weeks of my dad’s wage.

“They said, ‘We’ll pay the deposit and you can pay the rest. I got this job [to pay for the holiday] and I am still here!”