Wharfedale Premier Convenience in Hull marked its 40th birthday this week with themed in-store celebrations.
Owner Sam Coldbeck’s father opened the store on 14 February 1977 after buying the site of an old bakery. At the time the family already owned a newsagents (Taylors) half a mile down the road, and both stores are still trading today employing a combination of 32 people.
To celebrate the anniversary all staff dressed in 1970s costume and prepared free sweet bags for customers containing retro products such as Black Jacks and Parma Violets, while 1970s songs played all day in store.
The store is also running a Facebook ‘like and share’ campaign to win a 1970’s style record player.
“When an old bakery came up for sale with a space for two cars, my dad bought it saying ‘when people go to work in motor cars rather than on push bike, we’ll need those spaces’. He was a very wise Yorkshireman,” said Sam, who is also a C-Store columnist.
“Mark [Sam’s partner] and I run Wharfedale and my brother Andrew and his partner Elaine run Taylors. My Mum is still involved in the partnership but my dad passed away in 2013. My dad was right about those parking spaces - I just wish we had 20 more!”
Wharfedale Premier is a past winner of the CRA Responsible Retailing award.
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