Bedford Borough Mayor, Tom Wootton, attended the grand opening of Sammy's Hat, a family-run store located in the heart of the Putnoe and Goldington community. The store, which offers a variety of traditional and cultural groceries, hair and skin care products, and other essentials, aims to fill a long-standing gap for the local community.
The inspiring story behind the shop's name, Sammy’s Hat, honours the late Samuel William Gordon. Samuel, affectionately known as "Sammy" by his family and friends, was a proud Jamaican man who had a special bond with his grandchildren, often sharing sweets and hidden treasures from under his stylish hats. In his memory, the shop was opened by his great-granddaughter, Pasha, and his granddaughter Stacey, with support from their family.
In his remarks, Mayor Wootton said: “What Pasha and Stacey, along with their family, have built with Sammy’s Hat is a shining example of the importance of family-run business in our Borough.
“Not only have you honoured the legacy of Sammy, but also given something invaluable back to the community - Putnoe & Goldington’s first convenience store of this nature.”
Pasha shared her motivation for starting the store: “Sammy’s Hat was born from a need we experienced ourselves. Despite living in such a diverse community, it was difficult to find the products we needed without travelling out of the area. We wanted to change that, to create a place where everyone could find what they need right here in our own community.”
Stacey shared the values that drive Sammy’s Hat: "We endeavour for Sammy's Hat to be a culture hub within the community where people can meet and exchange cultural traditions and create awareness of the diversity within these communities.”
Mayor Wootton concluded his speech by wishing the family every success in their venture: “On behalf of Bedford Borough Council, I have no doubt that Sammy’s Hat will become a beloved staple for the people of Putnoe, Goldington, and beyond.”
Sammy’s Hat is now officially open to the public. People can follow along the Sammy’s Hat Journey on our social media platforms @SammyHatGroceries on TikTok & Instagram and Sammy’s Hat Groceries on Facebook.