Family-run shop to close after almost 30 years

A family-run shop in Leicester city centre is set to close after almost 30 years in business.

Stabana Cultural Products was one of the first shops in the region to sell hair and beauty products specifically for the African-Caribbean community.

Owners Randy and Jenny Stabana said the store in Charles Street was needed by the community when it first opened in 1996, but it is due to close on Christmas Eve when the couple retire.

"People have said many times the shop belongs to you. I've told them, 'no it belongs to the customer', Mr Stabana said.

Prior to opening the shop in Charles Street, the couple ran a factory in Lunsford Road, which specialised in making tracksuits and T-shirts, which were shipped globally.

The factory was opened with funds from the Prince's Trust charity, which was created by King Charles, then Prince of Wales.

Mr and Mrs Stabana opened their shop following the closure of the factory and originally focused on selling tracksuits and sportswear.

It later expanded within the premises to offer hair and beauty products after customers asked for "more and more" variety.

Mrs Stabana, 66, said: "Time flies and it was something that was needed for the community when we started it.

"At the time there was nowhere that people could get [the products], they were either travelling to London or the odd places that you could get them, but not everything.

"They kept asking for it - 'can you get this, can you get that?'"

Mr Stabana and Mrs Stabana spoke of their pride at helping young people enter work and gain life experience in their shop.

Mr Stabana, 68, said it was a "big, big highlight" seeing former employees go on to prosper.

The Stabanas have also been heavily involved with Leicester Carnival over the years.

For the first year of the celebration, they designed T-shirts worn during the carnival procession.

They have also sponsored the Queen's Show, an event where the Carnival Queen is chosen.

As well as this they have sponsored the kits of sports teams in Leicester, such as grassroots football team Highfield Rangers.

"It has been a long journey and it is time for us to relax," Mr Stabana said.

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