Watch: We meet Birmingham corner shop TV star who reveals what it was really like on Joe Lycett’s chat show

Late Night Lycett took the nation by storm earlier this year when it first aired live from Birmingham on Channel 4. Fans of the Brummie comedian will remember Ruprai Food & Wines which captured everyone’s hearts when owner Hardev featured on the show. A shining example of an independent store here in Birmingham with big plans for the future.

Hardev says: “It was a very good experience. We were well chuffed that we were chosen, and the experience was phenomenal.”

You’ve probably seen the show - but if you didn’t catch the first series of Late Night Lycett you may be interested to know that in many ways it was a tribute to Birmingham - weaving elements from the comedian’s personal life into the narrative. Incorporating Ruprai’s into the show emphasizes the value that our local corner shops bring to our communities.

Harjinder says: “It’s a good community. We’ve seen children growing up and getting married, and their children, and we’re seeing that in our children who grew up here. And customers are interested in what our children are doing. It’s one big family.”

The friendly atmosphere in the store felt in tune with the vibe of Kings Heath. Even though the show added an element of prestige to this corner shop, it is important to acknowledge its roots in humble beginnings.

This story echoes the experiences of many hardworking Asian families in Birmingham and across the West Midlands who seized their opportunities to provide a service we so often take for granted. Joe Lycett’s show celebrated the indispensible role of the local corner shop in the tapestry of modern British culture, and the entrepreneurial spirit handed down to Hardev and Harjinder led them to hit the ground running with this opportunity, leading to big plans for the future of this otherwise humble local store.

Hardev says: “We’re opening a bar. It’s more of a hybrid bar - something different from what we’ve done. So it’s going to be a shop - a more premium one - where you can come in and buy a nice premium drink. Gin, vodka, wines. So all the niche stuff. And with that you can either take it out or drink inside.”