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Arrow News, in Shirley to close (From This is Hampshire)
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Arrow News, in Shirley to close
7:38am Monday 8th February 2010
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- By Tara Russell » News Reporter
FOR more than 20 years it has provided a valuable local service to residents.
A family-run local shop, it had customers who began popping in as children to buy sweets who continued to use the community store as adults.
But now its owners have been forced to turn off the lights and close up, claiming they have fallen victim to major chain stores opening up nearby.
Owner Amrit Malhotra has had to sell off the last of his stock at knock-down prices in the cold and dark because he can no longer afford the heating or electricity at Arrow News, in Shirley.
He and wife Sneh, who have ran the business for over two decades, will be forced to retire while his 38-year-old daughter Breeti, who dreamt of one day taking over the business from her father, will have to find a job elsewhere.
Mr Malhotra, a father of four, blames the opening of a Tesco Express and Co-op for enticing away his customers.
The 75-year-old, who moved to England from Kenya 24 years ago, said tearfully: “It so sad after all these years. I have worked so hard and brought up my kids around the shop.
“I have seen people come in as three-year-olds buying sweets and now they still come in all grown up. The closure is a tragedy.”
Residents who are regulars of the shop in Shirley Road are devastated that it is closing.
One Shirley resident Sarah Rees, who used to buy 10p mix-ups, Kinder eggs and comics from the shop as a child, said: “It has been extremely upsetting to have watched this shop become a dusty shell due to impersonal fat cat companies reaping in all the customers and profits.
“With a family owned shop there is an amazing chance to strike up friendships and a friendly rapport face-to-face with the people on whose livelihood your custom depends on.”
Family-run business The family-run business used to be thriving, selling groceries, greeting cards, magazines and newspapers, but trade has died down following the arrival of the supermarket chains.
Amrit said: “It used to be fully stocked and colourful. Residents would pop in for a chat and it was personal, friendly service with a smile.
“Sadly it has got to this situation today. It is cold and dark in here. I have to wear a coat and sell the left over stock. I am heartbroken. I just feel so bad for the customers.”
The shop is yet to be leased by another business and will close its doors when the remaining stock is cleared.
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Your Say YourHampshire
Redback, Southampton says...
8:12am Mon 8 Feb 10
Beaumont, Ocean Village says...
8:16am Mon 8 Feb 10
hulla baloo, Turkey says...
8:44am Mon 8 Feb 10
The shop, in my opinion, was always dark, miserable, dirty and lacked a selection of any sorts.
I always found the owners/staff to be unhelpful and unfriendly.
AndyAndrews, West End says...
8:44am Mon 8 Feb 10
Here, There, Southampton says...
9:25am Mon 8 Feb 10
Hopefully he bought the freehold many years ago and is able to live out his years working less hours for a relative income based on that investment.
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
10:05am Mon 8 Feb 10
Redback wrote:My friend lives near this shop, we often went there looking for Financial Times, Morning Star and Autosport, all we could get was Echo.
Service was okay, but the truth is that the shop didn't sell the things that people needed. Opening hours were also shorter than local rivals. They just weren't competitive, and that's capitalism unfortunately.
There is a small paper shop in Queens Way. They stock virtually everything, and the owners are Saints fans, despite expensive parking charges, I and my friends often go there.
These guys in Shirley should have learnt something from place in Queens Way.
Yes as somebody has said it is capitalism that is making the life of small businesses very difficult, but there will always be a special market for well organised small businesses, because they will provide friendly environment Tesco and Asda of this world can’t.
dott6, Southampton says...
10:45am Mon 8 Feb 10
Polygonia, Southampton says...
11:30am Mon 8 Feb 10
Paramjit Bahia wrote:Surely we have not all become so addicted to central heating that we cannot spend a few minutes in a shop without it ?
There is something known as customer service. If the shop was not heated in cold weather who will be tempted to shop in this place? Small businesses providing good personal service will always be in demand because many people prefer that to big beasts without any personal touch.
People would be in their outdoor clothes anyway.
Grateful thanks to the family for providing such good service for so many years.
H0ckeyd, Southampton says...
11:51am Mon 8 Feb 10
Hard luck I'm afraid...plus, it was always a bit dark and uninviting.
milky1, Southampton says...
1:17pm Mon 8 Feb 10
ractac, southampton says...
6:06pm Mon 8 Feb 10
King Mush, Woolston says...
6:09pm Mon 8 Feb 10
"My friend lives near this shop, we often went there looking for Financial Times, Morning Star and Autosport, all we could get was Echo"
lol So Paramjit - so you're the boy racer with the Autosport and I'm guessing the Morning Star is for Southy? Go on- who's the banker???? ;o)
Brite Spark, Stubbington says...
7:25pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Condor Man, Southampton says...
8:31pm Mon 8 Feb 10
King Mush wrote:small shops like this have to be a lot more innovative these days. Isaacs in Queensway sells a fantastic range of magazines. If all you sell is The Echo and Mars Bars it will only be time before Tesco finish you off.
Paramjit: "My friend lives near this shop, we often went there looking for Financial Times, Morning Star and Autosport, all we could get was Echo" lol So Paramjit - so you're the boy racer with the Autosport and I'm guessing the Morning Star is for Southy? Go on- who's the banker???? ;o)
Iw61, bitterne park says...
8:41pm Mon 8 Feb 10
They have been forced out by the big monopolies like Tesco who can afford to undercut them. There are many shops who have suffered the same fate. They cant 'move with the times' as some people have said. these small businesses cant deal with the loss leader deals parasites like Tesco do.
Brite Spark, Stubbington says...
8:41pm Mon 8 Feb 10
Condor Man wrote:and what's wrong with Mars bars?!
King Mush wrote:small shops like this have to be a lot more innovative these days. Isaacs in Queensway sells a fantastic range of magazines. If all you sell is The Echo and Mars Bars it will only be time before Tesco finish you off.
Paramjit: "My friend lives near this shop, we often went there looking for Financial Times, Morning Star and Autosport, all we could get was Echo" lol So Paramjit - so you're the boy racer with the Autosport and I'm guessing the Morning Star is for Southy? Go on- who's the banker???? ;o)
Condor Man, Southampton says...
9:45pm Mon 8 Feb 10
freemantlegirl2, Southampton says...
9:59am Tue 9 Feb 10
Paramjit Bahia wrote:what have big breasts got to do with anything?? some of us are women you know! what a stupid pathetic sexist comment.........
There is something known as customer service. If the shop was not heated in cold weather who will be tempted to shop in this place?
Small businesses providing good personal service will always be in demand because many people prefer that to big beasts without any personal touch.
I've been in this shop a few times, don't bother now the pair of them are rude and surly and not at all helpful! Quite different to the young guy up the road in Tesco express who had a totally different attitude and have been really helpful, my daughter had a terrible nosebleed whilst we were in there and they offered to get her tissues and a glass of water!. Whilst I don't totally agree with Tesco's putting outlets everywhere, their customer service is very good! and so is Sainsbury's in Shirley - Co-op in Shirley Road (nr this shop) not so good....
JimmyShoey, Southampton says...
10:56am Tue 9 Feb 10
K in, Holbury says...
11:03am Tue 9 Feb 10
mickmattpen, Southampton says...
11:19am Tue 9 Feb 10
Markmag, Boscombe says...
12:08pm Tue 9 Feb 10
Redback, Southampton says...
12:23pm Tue 9 Feb 10
JimmyShoey wrote:PMSL. :-D
Big beasts, freemantlegirl2, not big breasts. Paramjit was referring to Tesco and Co-op.
Owner Amrit Malhotra, left, with his brother Kulbushan Malhotra at Arrow News, Shirley Road.
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Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
8:01am Mon 8 Feb 10
Small businesses providing good personal service will always be in demand because many people prefer that to big beasts without any personal touch.