What do you pick up at your local convenience store? A couple of pizzas and a few beers for movie-night at home? Tea bags, ice cream, bin liners … and help with loneliness?
Julie Kaur has been behind the counter at Jule’s Convenience Store on Haybridge Road in Hadley for thirty years. She’s developed an eye for people who maybe need a chat, or some company. If you look like you need one, she’ll make you a cup of tea, and you can sit at the end of the counter and talk to her, or to the other members of the community that’s grown up around her shop.
'Got to keep the business going, but at the same time keep the community going'
Julie’s helping to support the people around her in other ways, too, whether it’s through charity fundraising, giving her time and effort to local groups, or just helping out someone who needs something. She’s also found a great way to plough back the rewards she gets from her suppliers, to benefit local people.
In this episode you can meet Julie, and hear from some of the people she’s helped, like Clifford, a former boxer who used to work at another store in the neighbourhood.
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Hello You 54: A Cup of Tea at the Counter