A NEWSAGENT whose shop was in the Hardshaw Centre for more than 20 years says he is "so proud" to move on to Church Street, St Helens with a launch date set for next month.
Alpha News in the shopping centre has been going for more than 20 years, run by Rashid Patel and his family.
When news of the closure as part of the plans for the regeneration of the town centre was announced, concern was immediately felt for the long-established businesses – with some closing their doors.
But after working closely with St Helens town centre manager Gary Maddock, Rashid said he finally found a perfect new space and is set to open on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6.
The shop will move into new units created at the space where WH Smith once stood.
The granddad-of-two said: “I loved our shop, the work we did there meant that all of my children have gone on to have good jobs all helping in the pandemic and I’m proud that our hard work made that happen for them.
“I didn’t want to close and I was very worried, people were so kind coming in and checking on us.
“It’s been very stressful but I have to thank Gary because now to have part of the unit directly opposite Boots is very exciting to me and we’ve partnered with Londis so we can now offer fresh food and things to customers.”
Rashid travels in to St Helens daily – a 30 minute round journey which he says is worth it after seeing how much support he has received from the community.
The 61-year-old said: “To get letters from customers of a long time to wish us good luck and that they can’t wait to continue to support me and my family means a lot to me.
“St Helens people have been very kind to me and I’m so grateful for that and to stay here and continue to serve people.”
The new shop – next door to Tui - will be called Alpha Infinite News and will begin trading on Monday, May 6 offering news, magazines, cigarettes, tobacco, e-cigs, disposable vapes, frozen and fresh foods, and dairy products.
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