Family business expands SimplyFresh into Redditch

A family business has created four jobs by expanding its chain of convenience stores in Redditch.

A new deal has enabled Parminder Gosal to secure a former Co-op supermarket premises in Crabbs Cross to open a new branch of SimplyFresh.

Mr Gosal and his family now operate a chain of four SimplyFresh stores as franchisees and have plans for more.

SimplyFresh is a West Midlands headquartered nationwide upmarket grocery brand with a focus on locally sourced and organic fresh produce.

Ben Truslove, joint managing director at John Truslove, helped Mr Gosal secure a 20-year lease on the 1,990 sq ft supermarket premises at 430-432 Evesham Road, Crabbs Cross, at a rent of £23,000 per annum.

Mr Truslove said: “We are delighted to have secured an excellent tenant on long terms for our landlord client, Ankay Properties. 

“Mr Gosal and his family are building a strong convenience store business across the area and we look forward to working with them in the future as they seek new premises.

“This is a prime example of what we do, securing good tenants with sound businesses for our landlord clients, which is why we are the leading commercial property agency in our area.”

Mr Gosal said: “We were looking for new premises and the Co-op had moved out of the premises about two years ago, so we felt this was an excellent opportunity in a good area. 

“Things are going very well so far, attracting new customers, and we are now looking for new opportunities in the area.

“We had not worked with Ben before but he has been excellent, very helpful throughout the whole process, and I expect to be working with him again as we look for new store premises in the area.”

After being vacant for a couple of years, it took the family around six weeks to get the new store ready to reopen. 

Mr Gosal added: “There were a few late nights, but we are very pleased with the new store, which I am running with four staff, open from 7am to 9pm every day.

“We marked the opening in June with a raffle for around £70-worth of shopping, won by one of our new customers, Bruce Tong.

“While most of our goods are supplied through SimplyFresh we source our own cakes, fruit and veg locally, from the Evesham area and are at the wholesale market at 3am every morning.”

Khan & Co Solicitors acted for Mr Gosal in the lease negotiations.