Veteran Wolverhampton shop owner Gulzari Ram has decided to retire after 35 years

Express & Star

Gulzari Ram bought his shop 35 years ago and has been serving his community ever since. But now, after much consideration, he's decided to close the shop for good, retire and spend his later years relaxing with his wife, supporting his children and watching his grandchildren grow up.

Transcript

00:00Hello, my name is Guljari Ram. I came from India when I was 11 years old.

00:07I was working like, you know, I decided to do my own business, so I bought this shop.

00:16It was very nice people, nice customers, very nice area, and when customers look after me, I look after them.

00:24When they do come, they say, oh, you are still here. I say, yes, we are still here.

00:29I say, I was only little when I used to come and buy penny sweets, you know.

00:34And then, oh, I say, it's you, and then things like that.

00:38Now, the reason I started to retire, I had a back problem, lifting the things, you know, they're very heavy, right?

00:46So, I couldn't do normal lifting, so I thought, might as well retire now.

00:52Plan is go on the beach and enjoy my life, rest of the life, and stay with children, keep them happy, and look after them.

01:04My name is Mahesh Chumba. I'm from Wolverhampton, living with an old man, and I'm 50 years old.

01:10Well, I started helping my dad when I was 15 years old, while I was still in school,

01:18and over the years, watching my dad with his sacrifice and his commitment in running this business,

01:25sort of gave me confidence and the ability to carry on with this business and help him out,

01:34and there were times when my parents were off on holiday, and I had full management responsibilities,

01:40and what my dad did while I was working with him, I carried that through while he was away on holiday or at a break,

01:47and so, yet, watching my dad, sort of gave me the ability to be self-confident, manage the business,

01:55and be money-wise, take responsibility for all the cash and the funds, and buying and selling,

02:01and keeping the customers happy and making sure that the business was not affected by his absence.

02:07So, it has been a good part of me, this shop, and I do feel a bit sad that my parents are actually going to retire now,

02:17but I am also happy that they're retiring in good health, and the fact that the business is still growing well,

02:23and hopefully the new management will take over and carry on with this business,

02:27and keep the customers happy, as my parents have kept them happy.

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