Pontefract family thank 'kind and close-knit' community for support as they celebrate 35 years in business

Surinder Pugal (known as Steve to locals) and his wife Rama took the decision to relocate to the town in 1985 with their youngest daughter, Rita, and open up their business - then known as Shamia Supermarket, named in memory of Surinder’s late father.

Premier Stores on Wakefield Road located near the barracks has been a prominent fixture in the local area and all those who pass through to the five towns.

Originally opening the store as an off licence and video library, Surinder and Rama quickly established themselves as one of the few supermarkets in the area and became famous for supplying the student doctors and nurses with home comforts, ethnic ingredients or Bollywood films, which they used to loan from their own personal collection.

During the past 35 years, the store has not only undergone three name changes for each of its decades in operation, but has also tripled in size.

The business is now supported by the couple’s three children Rita, Karan and Alisha, who all work in the store around their full-time jobs in other industries.

Surinder said: “When we first moved to Pontefract there were no big superstores, very few corner shops and hardly any Asian families in the local community.

“Owning a shop was totally new to us. But thanks to the kind and close-knit community of Pontefract they made it happen and made it succeed further.

“I owe my customers everything because if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have come this far and I wouldn’t be who or what I am today.

“My customers have been there for me and my family through good times and bad.

“That’s something I can say I am blessed to have had throughout my 35 years."