They say behind every great man there’s a great woman – and that’s definitely true of longstanding retailer, Bobby Singh.
Owner of the BB Superstore and Post Office in Pontefract, Bobby says he couldn’t have made the store the success it is today without his mother, Balbir Kaur Boghar, who bought it with her husband, Jasbir Singh Boghar, in December 1984.
The store has been at the heart of the community through all the various incarnations of the family, serving its members with everything they could possibly need, from groceries to hot food and drinks – and Bobby has often said if he sees a trend online or a customer asks him for something, he will always try to stock it.
Speaking exclusively to Convenience Store, Bobby says he only vaguely recalls the shop’s early days. “I was only 13 or something. But in 1991 we sadly lost my dad at the age of 34.
“So my mum turned into mum, dad and businesswoman, and all of us as a family had to grow quickly. But dad’s legacy is carrying on and he started it all. So it’s his celebration too…”
Somewhat sweetly, Balbir’s 70th birthday falls next month, in tandem with the anniversary of the store opening. By way of celebration, Home Secretary and local MP Yvette Cooper came to visit BB Superstore, and presented Balbir with a specially made plaque (you can even watch the occasion here).
Bobby remembers the moment fondly: “We got Yvette Cooper to present the plaque to my mum and me and my family were there and it was just a lovely time. It was just a lovely moment, to see my see my mum’s face and hopefully my dad looking down and you know, he’d be happy and proud really. Hats off to my dear mum - she really kept it all together and we’re here now.”
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