More than a month after queues formed in poor weather, a new convenience store is continuing to attract strong support from customers, with its owners reflecting on a busy and promising first few weeks.
Neru Singam, who runs the franchise with her husband Kumaran, said the response since opening has remained positive, building on the overwhelming turnout seen on day one.
Neru said: “When we did open, people were really excited. I think they wanted this type of a store here, so on the first day there was overwhelming support from the local community.
“The weather was disastrous, it was raining and a strong wind and all that, but they were queuing from 8.30am just to get into the store to see what it was offering.
“We just could not believe it on this first day. We were so busy. The local community has given us great support.”
The store officially opened on Wednesday, February 5, after delays caused by planning issues.
Neru said: “We were supposed to open even earlier, but because of some planning issues, we had to delay it until February 5.”
The idea for the new shop came after the couple found their existing store could not meet demand.
Neru said: “We had a smaller shop down the road, the Premier Express but we could not accommodate everything that customers were after.
“We could not accommodate their demands because it was a listed building and could not extend it any further. We tried, but did not have much luck with it.”
She added that staying within the same community was a priority.
Neru said: “We were looking to expand it a little bit, but also serve the same community, so we did not want to move further from here.
“Then this place came up and we were in talks with the landlord and luckily I think we were the first people that spoke to the landlord, so he was willing to sign the lease with us and that is how we took over.”
The store operates as a franchise supplied by Morrisons, with product ranges tailored to the local area.
Neru said: “Running the franchise means everything that we sell here is supplied by Morrisons.
“They have some partners they are associating themselves with, for example, for sandwiches. So everything that we get here is by Morrisons.”
She added: “Morrisons came in and merchandised everything for us, and I think they know the area well, so they know what the fast lines are here, what will sell quite well in this area.”
Customer feedback has already begun shaping the range, with requests for additional products being considered.
Neru said: “We are still studying our customers and as we go they tend to suggest things like gluten-free, things to be added onto the range which we are looking to.
“Other than that, I think we have got the basics and a little more for this size of store.”
Plans are also in place to expand services in the coming months.
Neru said: “We initially opened up without news and magazines. We did not have lottery and all that, so this will be eventually added on.
“If there is something that we do not sell that there is a request for or the demand for them, we will add those lines in the future.”
She said the store has already proved particularly useful for some residents.
Neru said: “It is a great little store in the town, so they do not have to, in horrible weather, go all the way to the Morrisons on Kennedy Way.
“We have had loads of elderly, and mobility restricted people come in and say this is very handy for them.”
Encouraging continued feedback, she added: “To everyone to keep those comments and suggestions coming in so we can improve ourself as well.”
