Newsagent thanks community for support after opening new shop

Alpha News, run by Rashid Patel and his family, was a mainstay of the shopping centre for two decades.

But with the Hardshaw Centre set to close as part of the regeneration plans for the town centre, Rashid and his team have had to make the move elsewhere.

 After working closely with St Helens town centre manager Gary Maddock, a prime site on Church Street, in units that were formerly occupied by WH Smith, was identidied.

After months of planning Rashid opened to the public on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6.

The new shop is in units created at the space where WH Smith once stood.

The granddad-of-two, who cut the ribbon with his granddaughters, said: “It’s been great since we opened we have such a better location now and a beautiful big shop I’m very proud of it.

“Also now we offer dairy foods and eggs and things and have more freezers so all in all very happy and just want to thank all our customers for their support.

“It’s sad to leave the Hardshaw Cetre of course, but plans for St Helens are exciting and thankfully we have made nice relationships here so old customers are coming in which is nice.”

Rashid has also included pictures of his days playing cricket for India in the shop, saying it makes him "proud" to show customers what he once did.

Rashid travels into 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 new shop – next door to Tui – is called Alpha Infinite News and includes the Londis brand.