The Police have praised the shop worker of One Stop store in Leeds who tackled a "desperate and dangerous" gun-wielding man on robbing spree in July last year. The accused has been given jail sentence.
According to BBC, Marlon Stewart, who had threatened six people and stolen a car, was tackled by shop worker when Niall Stranix after the former demanded money in the store. Stewart has been was jailed for 10 years and four months.
After the sentencing at Leeds Crown Court on Monday (17), Det Insp Ryan Malyk said Stranix had shown "incredible bravery".
West Yorkshire police stated in a statement that while we always advise members of the public in such situations to think of their safety first, we must recognise the incredible bravery that Niall Stranix showed in making the decision to tackle him while he was threatening his female colleague.
“Despite not knowing if the gun he was holding was real or not, he showed tremendous courage in taking him on and it was his actions that directly led to Stewart’s face being captured on CCTV and him being identified as the suspect," Detective Inspector Ryan Malyk, of Leeds District CID, said.
West Yorkshire Police said on July 19 last year Stewart had committed 13 crimes in the space of about 20 minutes, including threatening three 19-year-old males in Chapel Allerton Park before robbing two of them of their mobile phones.
Stewart then demanded cash from a shop worker at a Premier shop in Lidgett Lane, before also threatening a customer and stealing her car.
Police said minutes later Stewart entered the One Stop store in nearby Chandos Gardens, and pointed a pistol at a "terrified" woman behind the counter.
Stranix, who was mopping the shop floor, then grabbed Stewart in a headlock and held onto him, despite getting injured on the head twice with a bottle. Stewart eventually broke free and fled the scene empty-handed, police said though due to the scuffle, the accused's face was captured on CCTV which helped the cops to identify and nab him.
The pistol had started to break apart as the two fought and was later believed to have been a plastic BB gun, officers added. Further enquiries to locate him resulted in his arrest on September 29.
Stewart was charged with four counts of robbery, one of attempted robbery, five counts of possession of a firearm while committing a robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Det Insp Malyk, of Leeds District CID, said that Stewart put all these victims through some really frightening experiences when he carried out these robberies over a very short space of time. He was clearly desperate and dangerous, and those who encountered him were put in genuine fear when he confronted them at gunpoint.
“We hope that the significant prison sentence that Stewart has received will provide some comfort to all the victims as well as some reassurance to the wider community to know that he is safely off the streets.”
Stewart was jailed for 10 years and four months with an extended licence period of five years.
A Wrexham convenience retailer has opened a new Go Local Extra fascia store, the first of its kind in the city.
After extensive interior and exterior refurbishments, the new-look store provides healthy competition to a competitor convenience store next door. Value-for-money offers, and an inviting layout are attracting customers, and the store is performing exceptionally well, with sales increasing significantly weekly.
With over 26 years of experience and two other successful convenience stores in Wrexham, Subash Subakaran was operating under the Premier fascia for most of that time, but he wanted a change with his latest retail venture.
The 2,000-square-foot store on Prince Charles Road received over £200k in investment and was transformed into a Go Local Extra store from an empty unit previously used as a Co-op.
The new store features a food-to-go offering including coffee and slushes, fresh groceries, well-stocked chillers, a completely new counter area, new lighting and shelving units, and an extensive beer, wines, and spirits section with a dedicated walk-in ‘beer cave’ and separate ‘soft drinks cave.’
Beer cave in Go Local Extra Wrexham
Subakaran and his wife Suki have made a great impression on the local community, recently hosting a successful bake-off style competition in the in-store bakery and staging a colouring competition for local school children to participate in.
The resulting designs are proudly displayed in the store for customers to enjoy. Community involvement is a top priority for Subash and Suki through their new store with the full support of Parfetts.
The store receives regular deliveries from Parfett’s Liverpool wholesale depot at Aintree. Subash has been a Parfetts customer for many years having visited them for his other stores.
The Parfetts team offered advice on the designs for the store, which now boasts a striking new look and spacious layout. The idea was to design the layout and flow of the store to help boost profitability, maximise space, and offer customers a wider range of produce.
He chose to partner with Parfetts and Go Local Extra because he valued his independence, flexibility, and freedom to choose the best product range for his customers, but with the full backing of a strong support network.
He also wanted to try something new and different, providing maximum value for money to his customers while maintaining healthy sales margins to build his latest business.
Subakaran commented, "I was already fully aware that Parfetts is a reliable and great value wholesaler, so becoming the first Go Local Extra store in Wrexham is a positive move for both my business and my customers. I know and understand our customers in Wrexham very well.
"This experience, combined with the professionalism of Parfetts, brings something entirely new to the area, delivering vision, a fresh offering, style and, significantly, value for money. They understand the fundamentals of independent retailing and what works well for customers.
“Since becoming part of the Go Local Extra ‘family’, I’m delighted that we are already appealing to a high volume of customers. We wanted to be up and running in good time for Christmas, and we quickly established a loyal customer base.
Go Local Extra in Wrexham
“Parfetts has provided hands-on support throughout the launch phase, helping to get the store ready with everything from layout and design to advising on promotions and merchandising. Working with Parfetts has been a positive move in every way.”
Parfetts is an employee-owned business, and its employees play a significant role in the success of the company and its retailers.
As more independent retailers choose Parfetts, the business has enjoyed record growth thanks to its focus on great value and service from a team dedicated to the success of the retailers it supports.
John O'Neill, retail operations controller from Parfetts, said: “We’re working closely with Subash to develop his stores and build on his valuable experience as a trusted retailer who has quickly made an impression with customers and the local community.
"This new store is making great use of the space to deliver a positive shopping experience for customers with a warm welcome and real value for money. We look forward to supporting the further growth of Subash’s businesses.”
Tributes are pouring in for wholesale and convenience veteran Dudley Ramsden who passed away recently. He was 81.
Ramsden was instrumental in establishing the Ramsden Group, Nisa Retail, and the Today’s Group wholesale buying group.
His journey started when he founded DB Ramsden & Co in Grimsby more than 60 years ago in move designed to allow independent retailers to compete with larger supermarket chains.
In 1977, alongside co-founder Peter Garvin, he launched the Nisa buying consortium, an innovative collaboration that empowered independent retailers through collective buying power.
Under his leadership, Nisa created a thriving national network of symbol stores operating under the Nisa brand.
From Nisa, Nisa-Today’s evolved when the Today’s Group wholesale business was created, before merging with Landmark Wholesale to form Unitas Wholesale.
Ramsden retired as chairman of Nisa-Today’s in 2006.
Calling him a pioneering force in the modern wholesale and convenience sector, buying group Unitas Wholesale stated that his remarkable influence on independent retail shaped the industry for decades.
"His influence was not only felt in boardrooms but also at industry events, where his larger-than-life personality and unwavering enthusiasm left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
"Ramsden’s contributions to the wholesale and retail sectors cannot be overstated. He built businesses with a deep sense of purpose, always striving to serve the community and uplift those around him.
"His vision laid the foundation for countless successful enterprises, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations. His impact extends far beyond the businesses he built. His dedication, integrity and visionary leadership transformed the landscape of independent retailing," Unitas Wholesale stated.
Nisa Retail commented, "From co-founding Nisa in 1977 to leading it to become one of Europe’s leading buying groups, his impact on the industry was immeasurable. Under his leadership, Nisa-Today’s grew into a billion-pound organisation, supporting independent retailers across the UK.
"Ramsden was a true pioneer whose impact on Nisa and independent retailing cannot be overstated. His drive and commitment created opportunities for so many, and his influence will be felt for generations to come. Our thoughts are with the Ramsden family and all at Ramsden International at this sad time."
The Home Office has announced a significant boost in funding for neighbourhood policing, doubling its previous commitment from £100 million to £200 million.
This move aims to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers across England and Wales, with the goal of meeting this target by 2029.
“This major investment marks a turning point for policing in this country. By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200 million, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs [police community support officers] where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres,” Yvette Cooper, home secretary, said.
“Every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate. This investment, alongside new powers we are bringing into law, will help prevent crime and protect our communities, which is at the heart of our Plan for Change.”
The funding increase comes in response to growing concerns over rising crime rates, particularly shoplifting and retail-related offences. Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that shoplifting offences have reached a record high, with nearly 500,000 incidents recorded in England and Wales over the past year - an alarming 23 per cent increase from the previous year. This translates to approximately 1,350 recorded shoplifting crimes every day.
Adding to the urgency, a British Retail Consortium (BRC) crime survey found more than 20 million incidents of theft committed in the year to 31 August 2024, which equates to 55,000 a day, costing retailers a total £2.2 billion.
The survey also highlighted a surge in retail crime, reporting over 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse daily. These include cases of racial and sexual abuse, physical assaults, and threats involving weapons - with weapon-related incidents more than doubling compared to the previous year.
Paul Gerrard, Co-op’s director of campaigns and public affairs, welcomed the government's commitment.
“As a community-based retailer, we all too often see the significant and damaging impact of retail crime and antisocial behaviour in society,” Gerrard said.
“We know - and have seen the results - that effective partnerships with local policing make a real difference, and I am cautiously optimistic that this latest development along with continued investment in preventative measures and the rising levels of police attendance can start to reverse retail crime levels, and help communities become stronger, more resilient and safer.”
While the funding boost has been met with optimism, challenges remain. The BRC survey found that 61 per cent of retailers rated police response to incidents as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.
The government’s broader policing strategy includes a total funding increase to £17.5 billion for the next financial year, up by £1.1 billion compared to the 2024-2025 settlement. This comprehensive plan also introduces the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, which will equip officers with enhanced powers, such as respect orders to tackle antisocial behaviour and shoplifting more effectively.
EG On The Move has completed its acquisition of Applegreen UK’s convenience and fuel retail network, adding 98 sites and approximately 40 foodservice concessions to its portfolio.
The deal, described by EG On The Move as a move to "create a retail powerhouse" in the independent petrol forecourt sector, underscores the company's strategic push to broaden its UK footprint.
With the completion of the transaction, EG On The Move now operates 151 petrol forecourt sites nationwide, alongside 209 foodservice concessions. The expansion also enhances its EV infrastructure, with around 40 locations offering more than 200 rapid charging ports.
As part of the acquisition, the group has also taken over the Applegreen fuel card business.
EG On The Move stated that this addition will strengthen its ability to offer tailored fuel solutions for commercial and fleet customers, while maximising synergies across its growing network.
EG On the Move chief executive Zuber Issa said: “We look forward to integrating the Applegreen UK business into EG On The Move.
“This acquisition is a natural fit, and enables EG On The Move to continue to redefine convenience retail and mobility for our customers, with a strong focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability.”
He added that customers and stakeholders can expect a “seamless transition”, while the 1,142 staff members working at the 98 sites are expected to transfer to EG On The Move as part of the transaction.
Applegreen Europe COO and Welcome Break CEO John Diviney said, “Following completion of this transaction, Applegreen remains committed to the UK market through our majority stake in Motorway Services Area (MSA) operator Welcome Break, and our growing EV charging business.
“We have a strong pipeline of new MSAs to develop, and recently opened our new £55 million state-of-the-art location at Junction 33 of the M1 at Rotherham.”
The British rappers, who recently announced the opening of a new supermarket, states that they were tired of going from shop to shop in their hometown to find the culturally diverse products they need and decided to take matters into their own hands.
The new supermarket named Saveways opened today (1).
Award-winning duo Casyo Johnson and Karl Wilson, known in the music world as Krept and Konan and the voices behind the 2015 hit "Freak of the Week", grew up in Croydon, south London, where about 40 per cent of residents identified as Black or Asian in a 2021 census.
But the duo say many of those communities are underserved by small local convenience stores and that the "world food" aisles in some of the major grocery chains often lack in product variety - a gap they hope to fill with their new 15,000 square foot supermarket, "Saveways", which opens on Saturday.
"We want people to feel seen," said Konan, who along with Krept was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2020 for their services to music and the community in Croydon. "We want people to feel that they've got a place that represents them when they want to get their specific food."
Shelves have been stocked with hundreds of spices, different types of beans, rice and cooking oils. Shoppers will also be able to bulk-buy halal meat, exotic fish and fruits, as well as ethnic hair and beauty products.
There is a prayer room and a comment box near the checkouts where shoppers can make requests for new products.
The idea to open a "one-stop-shop" with products tailored to Black, Asian and ethnic communities was pitched to Krept and Konan by their business partner, Kaysor Ali, who has known the rappers for more than 15 years.
"There is a lot of heart behind it and that's where it really comes from," Ali said. "To bridge that gap ... because no one has ever really done it - not to this standard."