Introducing Naheed Ahmed

As part of the Framing Marks Gate series we photographed and interviewed a series of local residents and key workers who have played an interesting role on Marks Gate. Meet Naheed Ahmed, Naheed and her husband run the £1 shop on Marks Gate and are a favourite with the residents! Naheed shares their Marks Gate story with us.

What’s your name?

Naheed Ahmed

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I run ‘Pound Plus’ with my husband Fiaz on Rose Lane, Marks Gate for the last 2 years. We have 4  children, the youngest is 15. Prior to our shop on Marks Gate, we had a shop on the Thames View estate in Barking for 12 years.

Why are you on Marks Gate?

I run ‘Pound Plus’ with my husband on Marks Gate.

How long have you known Marks Gate?

Just over 2 years.

What are your experiences of Marks Gate?

When we were thinking about running a shop in the area, we were warned that Marks Gate is not the nicest of areas. We have been pleasantly surprised! The children and young people who come into our shop are well behaved, despite the bad press Marks Gate’s young people get. Residents are generally friendly, there’s a nice community spirit, we have made friends with our customers in the area.

Tell us a special memory that you have of Marks Gate.

I have made some really good friends here in the two years since we opened the shop. I’ve also become part of the ‘Marks Gate Muslim sisters’ group.