Since moving to London Road in 2000, the Grange Parade has shops has always quietly gone about their business day to day. We were luckily enough to be able to send the children along to ‘Harry’s’ aka Grange Stores for the ‘forgotten’ items on the shopping list. The pharmacy provided the essentials when our son was born at home in 2004 (probably one of a few to have place of birth as ‘Rayleigh’ on his birth certificate). Along the parade, all the shops at one time or another have given good service and convenience for many.
They’ve been through a lot together and seem like a tight knit bunch. Tesco’s has ‘rained on this parade’ but they have dug their heels in and still see off the competition with their friendly faces and personal service.
Speaking with the owners today, it just goes to show that we’re not always fully aware of what goes into the running of these small businesses. They’ve had lack of sympathy from the local council on many of the issues they face and it would appear double standards.
I very much support their entrepreneurship and I hope, in the future to be able to support them further grow and develop their businesses for all the community to benefit.