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Morgan Hughes

The fruit shop closing after being passed down through generations for 50 years

A fruit shop that has been passed down through generations for almost 50 years is about to close its doors for the last time.

The family business, Countisbury fruit supply, opened in 1961 inside the Co-Op in Llanrumney by parents Tommy and Julia Young.

The Cardiff-born pair went on to have eight children, six girls and two boys - Ann, Julie, Patricia, Margaret, Susie, Anthony, Maureen and Tommy.

Over the years all eight of their children have worked in the shop. Now Tommy the youngest son runs the Llanrumney branch with his two sisters.

To read more Cardiff stories click here.

Llanrumney Avenue shops in 1961 when Tommy and Julia Young opened the business almost five decades ago (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
L to R: Tommy junior's wife, Suzanne Young, Maureen Painter ( Tommy's youngest sister ) and Ann Lancefield in the Llanrumney shop in the early 1980s (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
The family-run business has been a part of the community for almost five decades (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

The history of the business goes even further back where Tommy's grandfather also named Tommy opened the Grangetown shop in 1927 almost 95 years ago, which Tommy's cousin Martin Young now runs.

The Young family have supplied the local community of Llanrumney for what would have been 50 years this September.

The Llanrumney branch has always been much more of a fruit wholesaler than the other stores which have been more self service focussed. To streamline the business, they decided to close the historical shop and move location.

The family has become a central part of the community over the years with many local residents sad to see the shop go.

The fruit supply shop was opened in the Co-op back in 1961 originally before they opened the stand alone shops (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

One of the owners Tommy said: "We've had customers come in who have shopped here for years and asked where we're going next.

"We're not closing completely we're moving but it is still sad, it's the end of an era at this shop that was opened by our parents almost 50 years ago.

"My sisters are finding it the hardest, they're quite upset, it's a nostalgic place, it holds a lot of memories."

Shop keeping has been in the Young family for generations and it will continue to be for many years to come. One of the brothers, Anthony, has a flower shop, while the other siblings are spread out over the fruit shops with their cousin, Martin, running the Grangetown store.

To streamline the business they are now merging with one of their other local stores (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
Susan Young runs the Llanrumney branch with her brother Tommy (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)
Paul Jones has worked at the greengrocers for 35 years (WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

Local resident Margaret Cummings said: "It's so sad, they are such a lovely family that are well known and well liked in Llanrumney. They have been a part of this community for 50 plus years."

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