New faces at popular newsagent

Buy photos » New Modern News owner Kanthasamy Sriprabakaran with Stewart Linnane, small business partner at Clydesdale Bank. (s)

A FAMILY whose business was targeted during last summer's London riots are looking forward to a new chapter after taking over a well-known city newsagents.

The leasehold for Modern News, which has been open for about 30 years on The Upper Tything, has been purchased by Kanthasamy Sriprabakaran, along with four flats above the store, for about £235,000.

It is the first retail business the Sriprabakaran family has owned since relocating from North London following a decade managing a general store in Enfield.

They decided to leave north London and start a new life in Worcester after being caught up in the devastating riots which plagued the capital and some other major cities last summer.

“Worcester is a really nice place and we’ve settled really well here,” Mr Sriprabakaran said.

“We’d lived in London for around ten years, and enjoyed it largely but we always wanted to run our own business.

“One of the final deciding factors behind the move away was when the shop we ran was targeted in the riots last year. Quite a lot of damage was done and it was a scary time for the family as we were living above the store when the violence started.

“This is a new chapter in our life and we’re really enjoying this new challenge and carrying on the success of Modern News for hopefully many years to come.”

Mr Sriprabakaran was able to secure the new business with the support of funding from Clydesdale Bank.

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