GURMAIL Singh’s corner shop reopens today – nearly five months after he was attacked and killed inside.

Cowcliffe Convenience Stores, on Cowcliffe Hill Road, will welcome customers for the first time since Mr Singh, 63, lost his life on February 20.

The popular businessman and much-loved family man was allegedly bludgeoned repeatedly with a hammer during a robbery at the shop he had run for six years.

He was pronounced dead in the early hours of February 21.

As reported last week, Mr Singh’s family wanted to reopen the shop as a way to say “thank-you” to the local community who rallied around after tragedy.

Bobby Hayre, 38, the oldest of Mr Singh’s three children, said it was what his father would have wanted.

The store has undergone a complete refit in preparation for today’s opening.

Five men charged with his murder and robbery will appear in court for a plea and case management hearing in six days’ time.

They are Umare Aslam, 20, of Coniston Avenue, Dalton; Muawaz Khalid, 20, of Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Moor; Shoaib Khan, 18, of Calton Street, Hillhouse; Nabeel Shafi, 18, of Park Hill, Bradley; and Rehman Afzal, 18, of Jacinth Court, Fartown.