A PENSIONER who turned his corner shop into a thriving business empire was the toast of Tameside Food and Drink Festival after scooping an award for outstanding achievement.

When ‘PG’ Sachdev first moved to Tameside from Africa in 1972, he ran a small shop on Cotton Street East in Ashton.

Now the 88 year old owns ASM and Lily’s – a supermarket and restaurant on Oldham Road – which people come from all over the north west to visit.

He says the secret to his success is home cooking.

Son Harish and brother Rajesh now run the businesses with seven other family members.

Harish, 54, said: "My mum was a very good cook and she started making things like samosas and pakoras to sell in the shop.

"When ABC Theatres (now Tameside Hippodrome) started showing Indian films, people used to come and buy them in the interval and afterwards to take home.

"My mum became very, very busy!"

The supermarket, which sells world foods, moved to its current premises on Oldham Road in 1986.

Lily’s – a vegetarian restaurant named after PG’s late wife Lilawati – opened last year.

Harish added: "People come from Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield.

"They shop, have their lunch and go back home.

"It’s like a day out.

"We are very excited and honoured to receive the award and would like to thank all our loyal customers."

Winners in the week-long festival, which ended on Sunday, received their awards at a special presentation dinner at Dukinfield Town Hall.