Product Stationers and Art materials shop
An interview between ‘Scribbler’ and Anil!
The first thing I noticed when I popped in to “quiz” Anil, the owner of Prices, was the word Stationers! I wasn’t aware they also carried a comprehensive stock of artist’s materials too! Water Colours, Acrylics, Oils, Pads, and Brushes along with a selection of Easels, Mount Boards, not to mention a mountain of Papers and Cards of all Colours and Sizes!
Anil, after purchasing the business from its previous owner, has been trading from his present location for some twenty years, prior to that it was a Greengrocer’s (I remember it well!). The building itself is a bit of a gem too - being a large, double fronted shop, in the middle of ever popular Stert Street!
The business supports a staff of five and, apart from all the things you would expect to find in well stocked stationers, they also offer Photocopying, Laminating and Binding services too, together with a comprehensive range of Inkjet Cartridges.
Married to Kalpana for over twenty five years they have two daughters. Leena is twenty one and about to graduate, while younger daughter Jasmin, is doing her AS levels.
I asked Anil if his business, like most in the town, suffered as a consequence of AbITS (the new traffic layout) and the recession?
“Of course we dipped considerably, but my belief in stocking only quality products along with the endeavour of our staff and a strong customer base of both retail and account business, has helped us weather the effects of AbITS and the recession.”
Asking Anil for his thoughts on the future?
“I believe that now the various groups and councils are communicating with each other, along with the injection of new and different shops opening all the time, it can only be good news for the future of the town and its businesses.”
Like many town centre businesses, Anil shares a concern that the suggestion of a new supermarket on the Charter Site may not be the way to increase Town Centre footfall; however Anil, a keen supporter of the Chamber of Commerce, is sure footfall is increasing.
While keeping their “name in the frame”, Prices are pleased to sponsor local Art Events and Anil’s charitable side has seen him supply basic stationery requirements for projects in Africa, India, South America and the Far East. |
