A NEW supermarket has opened in Howden-le-Wear after the enlargement and refurbishment of the Post Office and village store.
Officially opened by Benny Baines, Landlord of The Brown Horse at High Stoop, the new shop has everything anyone could possibly need and right on the doorstep for village folk. Run many years ago by the late Bentley Peart and his wife, Julie, it was sold in 1990 to CP and his family who moved into the village.
Stephen Pratt from North Bitchburn was enlisted as a member of staff in 2002 to run the Post office after the standalone office closed down and CP acquired it, transferring it into the shop. A new, secure counter was built for Stephen acting as Postmaster and he is still there 24 years later!
Stephen had previously worked in the garage in the village and he remembers his last day there before joining CP. It was during the 2002 World Cup on the day that David Beckham scored a goal against Argentina! And, what’s more, it turned out to a red letter day in more ways than one when Stephen met his future wife, Victoria, that night.
CP, however, who was invited to attend the opening ceremony but wasn’t able to, sold the business to Vinotharan Nadarajah four years ago. And it was Vin who decided to utilise the storage rooms at the side of the premises and add the space into the shop itself. The extra room has allowed the addition of scores more products to make it almost as well-stocked as any supermarket.
Benny cutting the ribbon to officially open the new premises.
The store has other employees and they include long-serving Jean Jones from the village who has worked in the shop and Post Office for 24 years. Jean was recently invited to the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh and took along her friend, Pauline, who had also worked in the shop alongside her for many years.
“It was a wonderful day,” said Jean. “A fantastic experience.” Of course, people who receive Royal invitations aren’t told why but Jean believes it must have been issued because of her work in the shop and Post Office.
Bala, another member of staff, is the ever-smiling assistant who greets every customer by their name and always appears happy to see them, chatting, asking after them – he goes above and beyond what is expected of him and the customers appreciate it. And, of course, not forgetting Val Baker, another shop assistant who wasn’t able to be there for the official opening but who has worked there for many years too. Val always greets every customer with a helpful smile and a kind word. The staff work well together and always appear happy and carefree.
And so it was that Vin and his staff decorated the shop early yesterday morning (July 6th) with banners, balloons and ribbons ready to welcome their customers back after a three weeks closure – and in they flocked, gasping at the changes and the increased variety of stock. Some of the additions included more freezers, chilled cabinets and a much larger range of alcohol. There is almost everything a family will need: baby food, medicines, newspapers, homeware, animal food, children’s toys, tools, needlework and craft items, fresh fruit and vegetables – anything and everything to cater for the full range of customer needs.
Jean Jones was full of praise for the changes, “I never imagined the shop like this – I never thought this was possible,” she said in wonder and she blew up balloons and decorated the shop ready to welcome customers. And as the buyers arrived, they gazed around in surprise.
“We won’t need to go to Crook or Bishop to get what we need now,” said one. “Wow!”, was all another could say.
Vin explained that he had been able to enlarge the premises to 2000 square metres. There is so much choice and the shelves, fridges and freezers, have been arranged to enable enough space for customers to browse, buy and shop easily. Of course, the Post Office is still operating too and both the shop and Post Office are open until late seven days a week, including Bank Holidays.
The people of Howden-le-Wear and surrounding areas, including Fir Tree and Witton-le-Wear, now have a shop with supermarket vibes that is open when they need it and easily accessible.
Some of the staff with Benny after the official opening – Stephen, Benny, Vin, Jean and Bala.
