A SHOPKEEPER is braving the wrath of big business after unveiling his new store.
Called Singh’sbury Local, the signage for Mandeep Singh Chatha’s shop is resplendent in orange livery.
Some have suggested it looks a wee bit like a Sainsbury’s Local … but we at the Sunday National couldn’t possibly comment.
Sainsbury’s has previously threatened legal action against similar moves.
But Chatha, of Wolverhampton, claimed: “My name is Singh and it is on Bushbury Road. That’s where the name has come from. It’s just a coincidence.”
And he just happens to like orange …
He has registered the name of his shop with Companies House.
Singh said: “I have heard nothing from a supermarket which has a similar name, so I see no problem with it. Why would they contact me? It is different.
“It’s a different logo, a different colour, a different company. It’s completely different. So why would they ask to change? I don’t want any controversy from them.
“I think the nearest Sainsbury’s is a couple of miles away so it’s not exactly close and we are certainly not competition. I am just a small business owner trying to make a living.”
Back in 2017, businessman Jel Singh Nagra renamed his North Tyneside shop Singhsbury’s.
After Sainsbury’s threatened legal action, he decided to rename the store Morrisinghs – and Morrisons backed the idea.
A Morrisons spokesman said at the time: “Mr Nagra and his customers obviously have good taste so we wish him well.”
This affliction for puntastic business names is usually the reserve of barbers and hairdressers, beauty salons and florists … although the burgeoning dog grooming/walking industry is showing a similar weakness for wordplay.
Hence such fine examples of titular punnery as the magnificent Curl Up And Dye, Nutjobs,
Fringe Benefits, Rock-n-Rollers and – a personal favourite – Aff Yer Heid.
Who would risk going under the scissors in the grip of such fits of laughter in response to these monikers?
After you’re suitably coiffed, perhaps you would like to complete the experience with a spot of pampering. You could try Lip Service, Massage In A Bottle or Nail And Hearty.
OK, I maybe made some of those up, but you get the drift. Another favourite salon name of mine comes from the heart of North Lanarkshire, where there is an establishment called Miracles. Surely the clientele don’t require such drastic levels of divine intervention to emerge from the premises looking better than when they went in.
The floristry industry is also proving a source of budding wordsmiths. I give you Flowers Of Scotland, Bloomerang Flowers and the fabulous Florist Gump.
But they shouldn’t rest on their laurels. The dog services industry is snapping at their heels. Hot Dogs Walking Services, Lead The Way, Wags To Riches and Ruff Diamonds are some of the less barking ideas.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Chatha’s punnery will pull in the punters.
But, as Sainsbury’s has never said, every little helps.
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