A Brick Lane pioneer who founded one of east London’s best-known grocery stores in 1936 has been honoured for shaping the area’s heritage, 90 years after he first opened his shop.
Abdul Jabbar, who founded Taj Stores, received the recognition at the Bangladesh Caterers Association’s (BCA) 19th annual Awards and Gala Dinner in London on 1 November.
Having arrived in Britain in 1934 after working as a seaman, Mr Jabbar set up the grocery shop in 1936 on Hunton Street, now known as Buxton Street, near Brick Lane, with his Irish wife, Cathleen. The shop, which served the local community, became a cornerstone of Brick Lane’s history.
As the business grew, Taj Stores relocated to larger premises at 109 Brick Lane in 1956, with Mr Jabbar’s brother, Abdul Khalique, joining the business. Following Mr Jabbar’s death in 1969, his family continued his legacy.
The BCA Awards Committee convener, celebrity chef Atik Rahman BEM, said: “Abdul Jabbar’s story is a remarkable example of the courage and enterprise that helped build the foundations of Bangladeshi business life in Britain. Starting with a grocery shop in the 1930s, he created a family legacy that has endured for 90 years and become part of the history of Brick Lane.”
“This Honours Award recognises not only one pioneering entrepreneur, but also the generations of hard work and contribution represented by his story.”
The award was presented at a gala dinner attended by around 1,000 guests at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London. The ceremony was hosted by Ian Collins, the talkTV broadcaster, and Anila Dhami, the award-winning journalist. The BCA Awards magazine also included messages of support from King Charles III and Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The King’s message praised the awards and wished the event well, while the Prime Minister congratulated those being recognised and acknowledged the contribution of Bangladeshi hospitality businesses to communities and the UK economy.
The BCA, established in 1960, represents 12,000 restaurateurs across the UK. The awards celebrate the excellence of British Bangladeshi catering and hospitality, recognising the quality, creativity and hard work of the industry.
Brick Lane remains one of London’s most famous streets, and Tower Hamlets, the borough it sits in, was recently named London’s most affordable borough for homebuyers.
