SOME small businesses are open throughout the lockdown and among them is Sharif’s Grocers in Blackburn.

Sharif and Sons Greengrocers was first established on Johnson Street in 1974 by the late Mohammed Sharif and is now run by his grandson Hamid Ali Sharif.

Hamid, 24, took over from his dad Iftikhar seven years ago. He now helps to manage the store 12 hours a day seven days a week.

He said: “It has been tough for everyone during lockdown but we take a lot of pride in helping to serve the community every single day of the week.

“There are three of us who man the shop and that includes my brother Hussain. During the first lockdown we delivered to those who were self-isolating. For our elderly customers who could not visit the store we made sure we dropped off their shopping at their house.

“It was the least we could do. We are doing this again during the second lockdown.”

When the grocers opened it was based at number 81 but after several expansions over the years it has been extended to include three adjoining shops.

Hamid said: “My grandad used to work in the mills in Darwen where he was a manager. He later took over the grocers on this spot and we have been here ever since. People may remember our groceries on display on the pavement.

“The shop was renovated in 2015 and we moved all the produce inside. It is a lot easier to manage.

“Running a small business like this is not easy and takes a lot of effort. We would like to thank all our loyal customers and if people can’t find something we always try to get it for them.”