West Yorkshire retailer Bobby Singh is calling on fellow independent convenience retailers and store owners to “take it a step further” in supporting their communities, as he takes on a new leadership role within the Pride in Place programme in Pontefract.
Singh, owner of BB Superstore, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the government-backed initiative, which brings together residents, businesses, councils and MPs to shape the future of local areas.
Singh will help steer the government-backed initiative, which aims to empower local communities by bringing together residents, businesses, councils and MPs to shape the future of their area.
Speaking to Asian Trader, Singh said the initiative is still in its early stages locally but carries strong potential to create meaningful change.
"It has only just begun in our area and we’ve recently had our very first meeting. It’s still early stages, but the whole idea behind it is to listen to local voices, understand what really matters to the community, and build something that people can genuinely feel proud of."
Singh revealed he was approached by the local council in recognition of his longstanding community work.
"I was approached by our local council who recognised the community work we’ve been doing over the years. They invited me to join the board, and at our first meeting I was honoured to be offered the position of Vice Chairman, which I accepted," he said.
The Pride in Place programme is set to invest up to £20 million into each participating area over the next decade, with a focus on locally driven priorities and long-term regeneration.
While specific priorities are still being shaped, Singh emphasised that community input will be central to decision-making.
"There are a number of short-term and long-term priorities that we’ve only just started to discuss. But in a nutshell, it’s about listening to the community and their needs first, and then collectively deciding how we take things forward in a way that actually makes a difference.
"It’s very much about working together and making sure the community is at the heart of every decision."
Encouraging fellow retailers to play a more active role in their communities, Singh highlighted the influence local businesses can have when they collaborate.
"We all support our communities in our own ways already whether that’s helping food banks, working with schools, supporting charities, or just being there day in day out.
"But I’d say take it a step further work with other local businesses, speak to your council and MP, and build those connections. When we come together and support each other, it creates a much bigger impact.
"I’m a big believer that the more united we are, the better the world gets. That’s something I always say from the heart."
For convenience retailers, Singh’s appointment underlines the fact that few are better placed to shape local communities than shopkeepers themselves. With daily, face-to-face interactions, they have a real-time understanding of local needs, concerns and spending habits that policymakers often lack.