OWNERS of a well-known convenience store have opened a new international supermarket in the city centre.

Brothers Dennis and David Mathews have owned the Friends Malayali Asian Store on Stanley Road for 18 years and have taken the business to the next level.

Friends Asian Supermarket is a new large-scale international supermarket that officially opened on St Nicholas Street on Sunday (January 14). 

Worcester News: Crowds flocked to to see the new store last Sunday. Crowds flocked to to see the new store last Sunday. (Image: Friends Asian Supermarket)Dennis Mathews said the Stanely Road convenience store had proven so popular that they saw a need for a large-scale supermarket in the city centre. 

"We opened up 18 years ago - my wife and I had migrated over here from South India as she came to work in Worcestershire Royal Hospital," Mr Mathews said.

Worcester News: Brothers Dennis and David Mathews officially opened the new store.Brothers Dennis and David Mathews officially opened the new store. (Image: Friends Asian Supermarket)"My dad was a retailer, and we started just to sell to homes, and then two years later, we opened up our convenience store on Stanely Road.

"It was such a little shop, and then we extended it.

"We were busy, struggling with the current space, and needing a bigger place."

Worcester News: Fresh meat is available to buy from the store.Fresh meat is available to buy from the store. (Image: Friends Asian Supermarket)The store sells a range of products from all over the world, including Indian, Caribbean, Chinese, Korean, African, and Middle Eastern products.

It also has a range of fresh food, including vegetables, fruit, meat and fish.

Some fish and meats are ordered from India and arrive on next day delivery.

Worcester News: The store is on St Nicholas Street.The store is on St Nicholas Street. (Image: Friends Asian Supermarket)"It feels very good to open and loads of people came down to the opening," he added.

"It was emotional and exciting.

"Our customers are very happy and said how amazing it is and that we have even more items now.

"It is bigger and we can provide more facilities than in the corner shop."

Worcester News: Smiles all round.Smiles all round. (Image: Friends Asian Supermarket)Retail has been in the Mathews family for years, with the brother's father owning a store in India for 30 years.  

The two brothers said they are thankful to follow in their father's footsteps. 

The new store has supplied an additional ten jobs and the store on Stanley Road remains open.