Last week I was delighted to be asked to re-open the Premier store on Churchill Avenue after the store underwent renovations last year. The supermarket is a family-owned business which has served the local area for 14 years, and its owner, Mitesh Gorania, told me how important the shop was to the local community over the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The supermarket was one of many businesses in the UK to make use of the government’s small business grant awarded during COVID-19, ultimately enabling Mitesh and his family to renovate the building and improve the already-excellent service and selection available. Mitesh also tells me how the small business grant enabled them to have their most successful year as a small business!
The strength of community ties was so important during the lockdowns, and continues to be important as restrictions have been lifted, with local shops and supermarkets playing a key role in building these ties. Mitesh and his family thrive on support from the local residents and always strive to listen to various suggestions of their regular customers to provide a store which is a pillar of the local community.
On the day of the re-opening, Mitesh opted to use only small, local business vendors providing sweet treats, décor and banners. I am always pleased to see a local spirit so strong, and Mitesh and his family are a credit to themselves and the community.
