A man who owns a corner shop said his customers come to his store "with hope" and helps by providing credit to people to help them spread the cost of food.
Divyesh Patel has served the community of New Brighton and the rest of Wirral since 2007, as owner of Tower Stores. Divyesh said he opened his shop on Seabank Road as he was looking for "something challenging and a new opportunity" which would work round raising his two small children at the time.
As part of our new series on corner shops and convienice stores that form important parts of our community, we spoke to Divyesh. If you want us to feature a shop in future stories, email olivia.williams@reachplc.com.
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The dad-of-two often goes above and beyond for his customers, including helping those who are struggling to put food on the table. Divyesh does many things for charity and a most recent project is partnering with a school to provide breakfasts to children.
Speaking to the ECHO, Divyesh said: "I do like to do charity and want to put a smile on the face of the people. Anytime, anywhere somebody needs me I will always help them. Even recently, you will be surprised, I have about eight to 10 customers who we supply with groceries or whatever they need on credit up to £300.
"They are all old age people and because of this crisis, the energy crisis and all of this, they don't have much money left for food and day-to-day. We deliver and give them whatever they order and when they get money they pay us."
Divyesh said "bringing a smile" to his customers faces is his "motive".
He added: "I think, in a way, this is my civic duty to look after my community. My community has looked after us for so many years, without them I was nothing. This is what we are at the minute is their continuous support."
The convenience store owner said he has seen an increase in the number of people needing his help in recent months.
He said: "One of the regular customers had no money, [he was] in debt and he called me and said 'this is my situation now, I don't have gas, I don't have electric'. I said 'OK come to the shop and I will top up sometime'.
"I topped up £20 gas and £20 electric and when he has money he can pay. One thing I can tell you is that they come with hope. They say 'OK let me go to Mr Patel's and he will sort out something'. Whatever I can do, I will do."
The dad-of-two has won many accolades for his customer service and going above and beyond. Back in 2019, Divyesh was crowned as one of the "best loved shopkeepers" in the ECHO for his excellent customer service and also for going above and beyond for those who visit his shop.
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