Beloved Glasgow family-owned newsagent closes after 23 years

The longstanding Jordanhill Newsagent has been a pillar of the community, providing food and everyday items.

Jagjeet and Gurjeet Sidhu, affectionately known as Jack and Julie, bought the shop in 2000 and have been pouring their heart and soul into it ever since.

Their daughter, Nancy Sidhu-Lambe, said: "It’s basically a convenience store, but also does local newspaper delivery.

“It’s quite embedded in Jordanhill, that is why so many people know it very well and they have been coming every day. 

“It literally is part of the community’s everyday life. This is where people come to get their newspaper and their rolls in the morning and any little bits."

A few years ago, 71-year-old Jagjeet retired and his wife has been running the business since, with help from her daughter and son Johannes.

Gurjeet said her feelings are bittersweet about the closure.

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She added: "I am feeling very excited but I am sad too. I will miss my shop and my daily customers.

"For so many years we did this, I know the people so closely.

"We have some older people, who don't come in but they phone and talk to me.

"I know them all and this is a very good community. They helped us so much and kept us going. Very good people."

Following the closure, the family is planning to go on a holiday for the first time since they opened.

The 61-year-old said: "We need a proper holiday, we have never ever been before because we were working seven days a week.

"So now, we are planning a holiday.

"First, I think we will do a small one, visit some family in the south and maybe after that, back to India to visit the family there."

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Nancy added: “It’s a really small shop and with times changing so much, a lot of shops are closing down because things are moving on.

"We are really grateful that we managed to keep it going for 23 years and it is shutting because of a choice rather than having to close, because it means people kept coming.

“The shop has never ever been closed, apart for one month, during Covid. I am absolutely excited to take them on holiday.

“When we moved, my parents planned to buy the shop and they started running it straight away. For me, as a child and teenager, and now an adult, all I have ever seen is them working hard and it has been really inspiring for my brother and me.

"Johannes has been such a hard worker for the last few years. As my dad got older, he sort of took over that part, so he definitely needs to be praised."

The family have been in awe of the locals' response to the closure, who have brought gifts and sent their well-wishes to the Sidhus in the final week.

Jordanhill Newsagent will trade for the last time this weekend, on Crow Road.