By John Baron
Villagers have spoken of their joy after a Farsley restaurant owner and entrepreneur bought a parade of shops in a bid to support small independent traders.
WLD reported in January that a parade of shops on Farsley Town Street had been put up for sale, with an asking price of around £400,000.
Concerns were raised on social media at the time that larger national retailer chains had shown early interest in snapping up the block of shops, which includes Rainbow Chinese takeaway, Farsley Travel, The Beauty Parlour and Farsley Cake Co. There were concerns that the block could be transformed into a single unit.
Entrepreneur Zulfi Hussain – who owns popular restaurant Deeva further down Town Street – has stepped in to buy the parade and ‘maintain the fabric of our wonderful Farsley’.
In a statement posted on social media: “A quick message to stop the continued speculation and the rumour mill going into overdrive.
“I have now formally taken over the parade of shops. My intention is to continue to keep them as independents, to maintain the fabric of our wonderful Farsley.”
Mr Hussain said he hoped the purchase would help maintain the character of Farsley.
He has received a lot of support for his actions on social media.
Commenters wrote: “THANK YOU – this man deserves a BLUE PLAQUE”, while another added: “Zulfi for MP!”
Other comments included: “What a hero of the community you are Zulfi! Keeping businesses local and money in the village. Kudos.”
Another added: “Well done. Lovely to hear of someone interested in maintaining independent shops. Top man! Good move both commercially and for the community.”
In January the parade was described by Estate agents Eddisons as “…a rare investment portfolio consisting of a stone brick three-storey retail parade under a pitched roof.”
Rental income from the shops in the parade brings in £24,060 annually, with potential for uplift as one of the shops is currently empty.
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