A family yesterday celebrated a milestone in Huddersfield history.

Punjab Stores, the town’s first Asian corner shop, was opened by Abdul Rashid Chowdry in 1963.

Yesterday, half-a-century later, relatives celebrated a business which has thrived and grown and is now in its third generation.

When Mr Chowdry first arrived from Pakistan in 1957 he was virtually penniless and couldn’t speak much English.

He got a job as a bus conductor with the aim of saving some money to take back home.

But, after building a nest egg, Mr Chowdry saw an opportunity for a grocery shop, bringing a taste of home for Asian and Caribbean immigrants coming into Huddersfield in search of work and a new life.

Mr Chowdry opened his tiny shop in Old South Street, Springwood, and the rest is history.

Over the years the family bought properties next door and expanded and expanded again.

They also opened a halal butchery.

At first they provided foodstuffs and spices that Huddersfield’s new communities thought they had left behind forever.

Mr Chowdry was joined in the shop by his wife Zakia, who was left to run the business after her husband had a heart attack.

Mr Chowdry died in 1999 and his wife, now 67, took over the shop until retiring three years ago.

The business then passed to Naseer Ahmad, 51, husband of the Chowdrys’ daughter Iffatahman, who had worked in the shop since 1986.

And now the next generation is being prepared to take over.

Zayd Ahmad, 25, works part-time alongside his father.

Speaking to the Examiner at a celebration for family, friends and customers Mrs Chowdry said: “I am really proud that the business is still going after 50 years.

“It means a lot that we are now in the third generation. We are very grateful to our customers.”

Her granddaughter Zara Ahmad, 22, said the business had changed and adapted over the years but was still at the heart of the community.

“We are all very proud and want the business to stay in the family,” she said.

Customers paid tribute to the family and one of them, Clarence Alexis, 71, of Springwood, said he had been a customer since the shop opened.

“I remember Mr Chowdry or Chacha (uncle) as we called him.

“If I went into the shop and was short of money he would let me have credit.

“Even if I didn’t have a penny he would let me have what I needed. He told everyone I always paid.”

Another customer Asif Tanvir, 45, of Aspley, said he and his father before him were customers and added: “We were customers and friends.

“This family is the most humble, hard working, sincere and loyal family you will ever meet.

“Auntie, the owner, is the most gracious woman on the planet”.