A TRADITIONAL greengrocers has opened its doors in Wyke after calls for more people to restore independent shops on the village's high street.

Myles Robinson, who was born and raised in Wyke, had heard many residents asking for more small businesses.

It had always been Myles's dream to become self-employed and has spent the past six years learning all he needs to know at Delifresh in Oastler Market.

After a successful launch earlier this month, he is now the proud owner of The Spud Shed, stocking fresh fruit, veg and cupboard basics.

One week into his business venture, Myles says the reaction has been "fantastic".

Myles told the Telegraph & Argus: "Opening day was nothing short of a success. Everybody's really happy with the quality of the product. We're selling out on lots of things.

"A lot of people have commented on the fact it's going back to how it used to be before all the supermarkets took over. It's got a feel about it now that it's come back a bit and buying into the idea of a local greengrocers and butchers and local bakery.

"People are so happy that it's all not wrapped in plastic. People can take what they want.

"We're very big on recycling.

"I've always wanted to work for myself and have a career where I've been able to support myself and my own family. I've always had an interest myself in food.

"I'm too old now to get into the chef industry, I'm 32 now. For the last five or six years I worked for a local supplier in town and I was mentored by some of the best people in the business. It took my breath away."

When asked why he loves having the shop, Myles said: "For me it's customer satisfaction. I've worked in customer service for a lot of my working life."

Having analysed consumer habits over the past few months, he feels the coronavirus pandemic has seen shoppers switch their habits to a time where small business’ thrived.

"With everything that's happened with the pandemic everybody wants to help the smaller people.

"We're going to be going down the route of supplying a little bit of bread. People are asking about veg boxes. People are asking about deliveries. That's the next step in the business venture."

Myles is also working on a discounted price for NHS workers.

Councillor David Warburton (Labour, Wyke) said he is hopeful residents will come out and support the new shop.

He said: "I'm pleased that they've opened up. I know it's had a number of different uses over the years has that shop. I hope they do well.

"It's really good somebody's taken a shop on like that in a local centre and that hopefully they'll make a go of it and people will come out and spend money there to support a local shop, especially where there's the opportunity to get fresh produce they can choose."

While Councillor Rosie Watson (Labour, Wyke) said it was "brilliant" for something like this to come to the high street.

Cllr Watson said: "It's a greta time to do it because everybody's been in and they only place we've been able to go is the supermarket. It's brilliant that somebody's been brave enough to start a new business.

"We do need small, little shops. It's a nice idea.

"For Wyke, for the high street, it's good. It's giving us something we haven't got. It's different."