A beloved Birmingham greengrocer who has served his community for over half a century is facing permanent closure unless locals rally behind him in a significant way.
A Staple of Stirchley Since 1970
John Ward, 76, first opened J&H Ward on the corner of Pershore Road in Stirchley back in 1970. For 55 years, the shop has been a fixture in the area, with John recalling its heyday when it was selling a staggering 30 tonnes of potatoes every single week. Today, he reveals, that figure has plummeted to just seven tonnes, a stark indicator of the challenges facing his business.
The dedicated shopkeeper, who lives above the premises, has issued a heartfelt plea for residents to reconsider their shopping habits. He is urging them to "stop going to the supermarket" and instead choose his family-run business, where he promises competitive prices for what he describes as "better quality" food.
Beating Supermarkets on Price and Quality
John Ward is confident that his shop outperforms the large supermarket chains in a key area: value. He points to specific examples to prove his point. Customers can pick up a one-kilo bag of onions for just 65p, or a fresh cucumber for 90p. His 'best-in-class' cauliflowers and iceberg lettuces are priced at £1.25 each.
Beyond the competitive pricing on the shop floor, J&H Ward also offers a valuable service to the local community: next-day delivery for customers living within a three-mile radius. His daughter works alongside him, making it a true family affair.
A Final Plea to the Community
Despite a brief resurgence following a news feature last Christmas, John says customer numbers have "dwindled away" once again. "People are just not coming to us," he said with exasperation. "They all say how good the stuff is but then they're going to the big shops, rather than coming to us."
He has been forced to cut the hours of his staff and delivers a sobering ultimatum to his loyal customers: "use us, or you'll lose us." John, who says he has put his "life and soul" into the store, needs a sustained increase in trade to survive.
"Please come and support us otherwise we'll be closed," he urged. "Support us, or lose us. We need more customers otherwise we'll be gone." The future of this Stirchley institution now rests squarely in the hands of the community it has served for generations.
