Asian food store launched with funding
A RETAILER is creating more than 20 new jobs with the launch of one of Yorkshire’s largest Asian and continental supermarkets.
Dewsbury shopkeeper Salim Mulla, his younger brother Ayub and son Ahmed, are opening Mullaco Dewsbury Supermarket on Boxing Day after winning backing from Yorkshire Bank.
The new jobs are being created for cashiers, shelf stackers and general shop workers after Salim Mulla, who opened his first cornershop in Dewsbury 27 years ago, acquired the site of a former Kwik Save with backing from Yorkshire Bank’s Leeds Financial Solutions Centre (FSC).
Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry and a wide range of traditional Asian and continental foods and spices will be available at the outlet, which will have 10,000 sq ft of retail space, an adjoining warehouse and parking for up to 96 cars.
After opening his first shop, Salim later expanded into a bigger unit and then into a 2,500 sq ft convenience store, employing 15 staff. He will run this shop in tandem with the new supermarket.
He said: “Our new store has been planned for two years while we sought a suitable location and, when the former Kwik Save site became available, we were ready to make our move.
“The range of stock we hold and our knowledge of our goods, combined with competitive pricing, has helped us to grow a large following and 70% of our regular shoppers are from outside Dewsbury with many travelling from as far as Hull, York and Rotherham.
“We’ve been with Yorkshire Bank as we’ve continued to grow the business through the last 25 years and they have always been enthusiastic about us.
“They’ve always understood what we want and why and have now supported us with this latest venture.”
Yorkshire Bank Leeds FSC business partner, Nick Wyrrill, who arranged funding for the new Mullaco supermarket, said: “These may be tough times on the high street but Mr Mulla and his family know their products and have built up a loyal customer following. I’m confident that their new venture will be a tremendous success.”
