Supporting new businesses

Story: Naheem Hanif

Pitsmoor Convenience Store

489 Pitsmoor Road 278 7134 Open: 9am–10pm, every day

‘Harry’ Singh, 45 is the proud new owner of the redeveloped Pitsmoor Convenience Store on Pitsmoor Road.

The shop, which opened in July 2005, stocks an extensive range of wines, sandwiches and frozen foods as well as tobacco and general confectionery.

Although the building has played host to a variety of shops for over 30 years, Harry has spent considerable time and money redeveloping the new store. Business has now increased two-fold since he took over. The shop now also has disabled access.

Originally from Walsall, near Birmingham, Mr Singh was previously employed as a cast-iron foundry worker. However, he was made redundant in October 2004. This encouraged him to consider self-employment.

“I searched all over the UK for a business and the premises right here in Burngreave encouraged me and I was confident I could turn the business around” he said.

Mr Singh is also very grateful to the local community. He said “The people are lovely and it’s such a nice atmosphere around here and I look forward to offering my services to the local community.”

Nile Markets

176–8 Barnsley Road 243 2144 Open: 9am–11pm, every day

Named after the famous river in Egypt, Nile Markets is a new store located on the site of a former off-licence on Barnsley Road.

The store offers an array of Middle Eastern savouries and confectionery as well as general groceries. The store is run by Egyptian Mr Masoud El- Saadawy, 43, and Iraqi-Kurd Hamza Abdulla, 28. Mr El- Saadawy said “As well as a food store, we are also a major stockist of international phone cards”.

The store, which opened in June 2005, is proud to serve its multicultural delicacies to the people of Burngreave.

Sara Barbers

174 Barnsley Road 0784 563 9079 Open: 10am–9pm, every day

Sara Barbers is a new hairdresser located on the site of a previously derelict building on Barnsley Road.

The business is run by Kurdish friends Zana Ahmed, 29, a former restaurant worker from Liverpool and his stylist Jawhar Amin 25, who has spent the last thirteen years working as a hairdresser.

Zana said: “A lack of barber shops in this area inspired me to open up this business and this will definitely benefit the locals”. Hairstylist Jawar said: “We have many different customers from every part of the community visit us here and we are very happy to be working in Burngreave and offering our service here”.