Retiring Hartlepool shopkeeper 'at the heart of the community' for over 40 years given surprise send off by customers

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Mohammed Sawar is retiring from Cashcare off-licence and grocery at the St Patrick’s shops in Owton Manor after 41 years on the parade.

Around 100 of his customers gathered outside the shop to applaud him as he left work on Thursday night.

Mohammed has served generations of residents, watched them grow and become a firm favourite with them for his friendly nature.

Mohammed Sawar surrounded by customers for the surprise send off as he closed on Thursday night.

He has worked on the parade since around 1980 after moving to Hartlepool from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

Mohammed, 67, a father of three who is married to Nasreen, said: “I’ve been here 41 years. I would like to work for longer but am retiring due to my age.

“I have known people from their childhood. It’s been nice.

"A lot of my customers have brought me cards and presents. I will miss them.

Mohammed Sawar, of Cashcare in Owton Manor Lane, with a selection of retirement cards he received from customers. Picture by FRANK REID

"I would like to thank all my customers for their custom and respect they have given me for all the many years.”

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Regular customer Kirsty Wilson said: “He’s been the heart of the community for 41 years, every one who knows him will miss him.

"He is a lovely man we will all have a good memory of him whether it was running to Gillens for his morning paper and when you came back he’d give you a penny sweet for going, or saying ‘thank you baby doll’, he will be missed by everyone far and wide.

Around 100 people turned out to wish Mohammed Sawar well as he retires.

"It won’t be the same without him.”

Another customer Ellie Peek, who was among the well-wishers outside the shop, said: “I’ve been going to the shop since I was about seven.

"He was always a really nice man. He always made you feel welcome.

"As he was closing his shop to go home we all just surprised him and started clapping to say thank you for all the years he has been there and served us.

“He looked very overwhelmed by it all.”

The shop is due to reopen under new owners in two to three weeks time after a refurbishment.

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