I’ve heard similar stories in shops across London and beyond. Shashi and Pallu Patel have owned Meet and Deep News for over 40 years. Their shop, in Twickenham, is named after their two children and self-dubbed the Good Karma Shop. The family have collected an avid social following for their lighthearted, uplifting posts. For over two decades, for example, the family has welcomed the community and customers to their store on Christmas Day for games, samosas and chai.
The UK’s newsagents are often multi-generational family businesses. University Stores owner Sailesh tells me, “We took over a lease at the beginning of 1981. I was 16 when we got the place, and I was still in school. All the local people know us. Everyone calls it Open All Hours.”
In other stores, the next generation is also putting their spin on these old-school corner shops. Londis N16 in North London is run by Mayank and Anju, along with their children, Alpesh and Priyesh. “The shop was bought in the late ’70s by my grandparents, Karsan and Mahalaxmi,” Priyesh says. Over the last five years, Alpesh and Priyesh have got more involved, enabling the business to expand. “My mum, at the age of 50, has started a new venture, serving Gujarati food to our customers on Tuesdays and Fridays.” The family has built an 11K-following on Instagram, and now does supper club collaborations. “When we were growing up, running a shop seemed like a burden,” Priyesh explains. “We’re learning that we can set our own rules.”
Original owner of Magnum News, Marylebone, London. 24th June, 2025.Owen Harvey
“Owning bricks and mortar meant for South Asians a place to call their own,” Sahota says. It’s this legacy that is bringing the new generations together. Yoshika adds, “You have good days, bad days, but because it’s family, we’re there to look after each other.”
Great Job Priya Raj & the Team @ Condé Nast Traveler UK Source link for sharing this story.
