by Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

With a message of "love thy neighbour," it's no wonder Idris Hussain has stayed popular with his customers.

His business In Tha House, in Thornton Heath High Street, is the only Christian book store and gospel music specialist in Croydon.

This follows the January closure of the Wesley Owen Christian bookshop, in North End, Croydon, after its parent company went into administration.

And with customers ranging in age from teenagers to pensioners, In Tha House which has been open for just over two years, has wide appeal.

Mr Hussain, 42, director of In Tha House, said: "We mainly specialise in gospel music but we do books, DVDs and greetings cards.

"We get different people in here and they aren't always Christians.

"You get youngsters aged from 17 to 18, to people over 65.

"There are people who just like the music in general because it's got a quality about it and is very uplifting.

"It's something different to the everyday mainstream, what's in Tesco and what's in the charts.

"And it's music with a message which is very inspiring. A few years ago gospel was the fifth best selling genre of music in the world. That isn't commonly known."

As well as selling goods, Mr Hussain also holds movie nights once "every couple of months" where he serves light refreshments and snacks.

He also held an "Obama night" when Barack Obama was inaugurated as American president, in January.

Mr Hussain said: "Wesley Owen closed down and that was unfortunate.

"Because you're providing for a niche market you're not going to find too many book stores like that around.

"Normally you might find one - we are it.

"We are coming with a positive message which probably needs to be heard a lot more in the current times with the gun and knife crime and violence. That is love thy neighbour."

With links to Thornton Heath, Mr Hussain felt it was an obvious place for him to set up a business.

He explained: "I live in the area and wanted to bring a Christian presence in terms of different materials that would help people.

"I think it's a great place to be - I'd heard some of the history about Thornton Heath but it's a good place to work."

* For further information visit the website www.inthahouse.com