Sign tribute to 'pillar of community' shopkeeper

5 hours ago

Chloe Aslett,Yorkshireand

Ellie Colton,BBC Radio Sheffield

News image — Gurdev Singh Sangra, known by locals as Dave, was a "pillar of the community"

Stevie Moore A bald man earing a grey shirt and blue zip-up jacket smiles widely and gives a thumbs up to the camera. He is standing behind a till in a convenience store with shelves of drinks behind him. — Gurdev Singh Sangra, known by locals as Dave, was a "pillar of the community"

Thousands of pounds have been raised towards installing a sign in memory of a well-known Sheffield shopkeeper following his death.

Gurdev Singh Sangra, known to his customers as Dave, ran the Premier shop in Coppin Square, Parson Cross, for more than 20 years before retiring in 2025.

Close friend Stevie Moore said the 69-year-old was "everybody's dad-slash-grandad, a father figure if they didn't have one".

He launched a fundraiser for the sign saying "Dave's", following Sangra's death earlier this month, and has already received £2,400 from 92 donors.

He said: "We need to keep his name and spirit alive in the area.

"Everyone knows that shop as Dave's, and there's a nice gap on that shop front above the Premier sign."

Stevie Moore A purple sign on a brick building, with "Dave's" written on it in capital bold white letters. Below it is the yellow storefront sign reading "central convenience store" — A mock-up of how a future sign on the building could look

Any extra funds that do not go to the sign will be given to Sangra's wife, Jagdish Kaur Sangra, known locally as Mary, who ran the shop alongside him.

Moore said the whole community was in "utter disbelief and shock" at Sangra's passing, and said he "lost it" when he heard the news.

He said: "I know that there were people around us that are like, 'why is it so upsetting about the local shopkeeper passing away?'

"But unless you live on the estate - we've seen him every day for 25 years. You see him more than some members of your own family."

He described Sangra as a "pillar of the community" who would do "anything for anybody".

Stevie Moore A close up of a bunch of flowers with white roses and bunches of leaves. There is a handwritten note in the bunch. — Bunches of flowers were left outside the shop in tribute to Sangra

"The amount of times he said to me, 'Steve, if you're struggling, let me know'," Moore said.

"There were times I was struggling, and I've walked out of that shop with £60 worth of groceries. He said, 'just pay me when you can'.

"Who does that as a business? Nobody does that."

It had been "amazing" to see the community come together and donate to the sign, which is due to be installed by Dyson Signs in the coming weeks, Moore said.

"I can't wait to see this sign on the front of his shop, like he deserves," he added.

Sheffield mourns ‘Dave’ as tribute fund rises

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