Bohemia Village Voice

Bohemia Foodmarket owner Masood Iqbal - left - chats to Robert Duck who will be one of his staff when the store opens.

Mr Masood Iqbal, owner of ‘Bohemia Foodmarket’ took a few minutes off work on Wednesday this week to talk to Bohemia Village Voice about his plans for his new store. Mr Iqbal has been in the grocery trade for 32 years, the last 24 of them in Hastings.

What made you decide to open another store? “I tried to retire after I sold the Norman Road shop, but I got bored. I’m opening this shop because I like working – it’s not a matter of money. I’ll be working here in the shop myself – with about four staff, including this young man, Robert Duck, (18, see picture) who’s worked for me before. My wife, Mary, will be coming in for a few hours to keep an eye on things when I go to the cash and carry.”

How many stores does you own? “I sold ‘Mary’s Foodmarket’ [in Norman Road, St Leonards] in January of this year, and I’ve also sold my store on the seafront next to the ‘Pig in Paradise’. This shop is now the only store I now own.”

Will you be selling fresh fruit and veg? “I would like to, yes. I know that is what a lot of people say they want. So I will be trying to find a good supplier.”

What will you do if you don’t get your licence to sell alcohol? “It doesn’t matter to me, I’ll just sell all the other goods. But I want to sell alcohol, as one thing supports another in this business.”

A lot of people are worried about you selling cheap lager. “I can’t afford to sell at cut price. There’s not much call for cheap beer. I hope to be selling wine to the local families. There’ll be no stacks of cheap booze.”

What about cigarettes and tobacco? “Yes, I’ll be selling these things. People want them.”

What will the shop hours be? “The shop will be open 8:00am to 9:00pm every day, including Sundays.”

When will the shop be open for business? “There’s a lot of work to do getting the shop ready – it’ll cost at least £60,000 to prepare the shop, and it will take time. All the floor has to be covered with plywood and ceramic tiles. I think we will be open in November.”

Will you be selling newspapers and magazines? “Definitely not. I’ve done that before and know what that’s all about: getting up at 5am every day. No thanks!”

What about fresh meat? “No, I won’t be doing any fresh meats, only frozen meat in packets. And I’ll be selling prepared meals and TV dinners [looking at me] – for the old aged pensioners.”

Mr Iqbal who was born in Hydrabad, India, 61 years ago, has two children, both married. “I’m so pleased to be able to work – I had a brain haemorrhage three years ago, which was very serious. I like people and I like this area – I will enjoy working here again.”