Ashrif’s

Yet another of the fantastic local shops serving the St Werburgh’s community. It would be some kind of turf war to have four newsagents in so short a distance anywhere else but it being the burgh’s everyone is laid back and happy. My loyalty will always lie with Sonni’s down the road but Ashrif’s is obviously doing a cracking trade as it has survived for several years. Don’t let the garish exterior or the gruff staff put you off– inside is a host of treats that you would never expect from your local corner shop. There’s a great selection of breads and fruit as well as food from other parts of the world and as Nick says it’s great for sweets. This being the furthest from my house, I only usually come here if Sonni’s or the post office shop don’s have what I need but I am always pleasantly surprised at the range of stock. Oh and if you’re passing by car, there is a little car park just outside the front.

I’m not sure I have ever met Ashrif himself or if he even exists. Maybe he is the chap at the counter, but I hope not. He doesn’t seem to be aware of what a wonderful enterprise he’s running, scowling and frowning from behind his till shaped shield.
If it were me running the shop I’d be over the moon with my gleaming array of colourful fruit and vegetables outside the shop. The fact that I sell a reddish coloured spicy pitta bread unknown to any other store in Bristol would make me similarly smug. I’d grin about the vast section of pickles and sauerkraut I have alongside chocolate covered flapjacks and a wonderful (if a little random) choice of bubble bath. The magazine and newspaper section is rife with interesting titles and the sweet shelf is equally glossy and inviting — and at a perfect height for the little uns. This is a well thought out, well stocked shop. No reason then to be grumpy.