Raid-death shop owner's family back in business

Loyal customers returned to the corner shop, in the Cowcliffe area of Huddersfield, yesterday for the first time since Gurmail Singh's death on February 20.

The 63-year-old died from head injuries after he was struck at least nine times with a weapon, believed to be a hammer, during a raid at the shop.

His sons, Bobby and Jas Hayre, reopened the store at 6.45am as a mark of thanks to the community which has supported them since his death.

The family have refurbished the shop to make it safer. Security lights illuminate the entrance, several CCTV cameras hang from the ceiling, and the counter has been moved to the back of the store.

But Mr Singh's name is still above the door and a photograph of the late shopkeeper is fixed to the wall behind the counter.

Mr Singh's sister Darshan Kaur said: "He's still here. It wasn't his time to go yet. He didn't do any harm to anybody. He was one in a million. We have to keep living."

She added: "It's an emotional day for us, but I think it's important for the shop to reopen because life goes on.

"My brother used to deliver papers to people's houses himself and I hope his sons will do the same. I think they will do a great job because the boys take after their father."

Mr Singh, a Sikh, came to Britain in 1963 and had run the shop in Cowliffe for about seven years.

His death shocked local residents, who said he worked long hours and often went out of his way to help his customers, especially the elderly.

More than 1,000 mourners attended his funeral, including Sikhs from across West Yorkshire, fellow shopkeepers and civic dignitaries.

Bobby Hayre, who also runs a convenience store in Rotherham, said the shop had been refurbished so the family could "have a fresh start".

"I haven't run the shop in Cowcliffe before so it's hard to say whether it's busier than it was but there are a lot of people coming in to wish us well," he added.

"One of the customers was crying as she came in. The customers have missed the shop. It's like a social centre for them.

"They've even been coming to my mother's house. They've been as good as gold and I'm overwhelmed by it, to be honest."

Many customers remembered how Mr Singh looked after house-bound elderly residents during harsh winter weather by taking them supplies on a sledge.

Neil Shuttleworth said Mr Singh was "everything we could want from a local shopkeeper".

"He had friendly words for everyone," Mr Shuttleworth added, "and I know how good he was to the old ladies, helping them home.

"It was just so, so unfair. We all felt it. I couldn't go to the funeral but I came here to see the hearse on its way and they were just lining the streets.

"There were so many people showing their respects and it was a great example of what service, friendship and warmth can do.

"We've so little left in this area. We lost the post office some years ago, so this was the one focal link of the village."

Mr Shuttleworth added: "It's a moral success but I hope it's also a commercial success."

One of the returning customers was Colin Meachen, who had gone to the store to buy a newspaper on the day Mr Singh died.

"I was walking along to get a paper when the police stopped me," he said. "I had no idea what had happened and I couldn't believe it. I always got my paper here because Mr Singh was very obliging. There has been a shop here for a long time but Mr Singh really built it up.

"A few people came here before but they couldn't make it a success. This chap was different.

"He would help anybody and would be out on the streets in the winter to do it."

Pat Lowe, who lives near the shop, said: "He was such a lovely man."

Another customer, Ron Hesselden, said: "We've been anxious for the family and it's really wonderful to see them taking over the shop again."

Five men have been charged with Mr Singh's murder. They are due in court next week.

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