By Robin Murray – Bristol Post
Alfu International has replaced the former Poundstretcher site in Fishponds
Alfu stocks food from around the world, including fresh fruit and vegetables (Image: Alfu International)
Plenty of businesses in Bristol and further afield have had to shut since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, with many closures temporary and some permanent.
But this week saw the launch of a new supermarket in Fishponds, replacing the former Poundstretcher site on Fishponds Road.
Alfu International has been opened by experienced shop owner Murat Unal, who also has a store in Plymouth to his name, having run supermarkets in Swindon and Cheltenham.
His latest premises stocks a wide range of food from all over the world, including Turkish, Arabic and Asian cuisine.
It also boasts a café not open yet due to Covid-19, a Costa Coffee vending machine and a bakery section home to an array of tempting treats for sweet toothed customers.
Mr Unal said his latest shop is “Bristol’s biggest international halal food store,” adding he is “very excited to be part of the fantastic Fishponds community”.
“We opened on Monday, taking over the old Poundstrecher site on Fishponds Road,” the 43-year-old told Bristol Live.
“With a ground floor 5,000 square feet in size it’s Bristol’s biggest international halal food store, which I am very proud of.
“We have everything under one roof including a halal butcher, a frozen food section, a bakery, homeware items and food from all over the world.
“We’re also looking forward to opening the café when we are able to.
“I’m very excited to be part of the fantastic Fishponds community.”
Opening a new shop can be a challenging and stressful process at the best of times, but doing so during a pandemic makes the process even more difficult.
Mr Unal said that the timing was “unfortunate” but added he was able to overcome the challenges with minimal setbacks.
“I purchased the site in February so the timing of the coronavirus pandemic was very unfortunate,” he said.
“It has been a difficult process getting the store ready with issues around getting stock and staff but I’m happy to now be open.
“There are signs around the shop to ensure customers are social distancing at all times, which customers are doing so far.”
Mr Unal said he plans to also launch an online supermarket in the coming weeks for customers who do not want to leave the house.
ARTICLE TWO
Morrisons launches Ramadan essentials food box
In the run-up to Ramadan, Morrisons is launching a new essentials food box.
The box contains dried fruits, halal chicken breast fillets, a halal Peri Peri chicken platter, fruit juices, chaat masala mix potatoes and more.
It costs £35 and is available for next day delivery.
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