West Yorkshire’s first ethnic minority female High Sheriff visited the Batley area to see for herself how businesses and organisations are thriving.
Professor Adeeba Malik, CBE DL, who was sworn in to her position in March at Leeds High Court, takes up the year-long appointment, which is non-political and unpaid, continuing a tradition which stretches back more than 1,300 years, to represent King Charles at a local level.
She called in to Legends Café, at Bradford Road, Batley, to see the landmark white Art Deco style building, which was built in the 1920’s. It has been refurbished after being empty for a couple of years, opening in December 2023.
The popular Legends Bar on the former stretch known as ‘The Golden Mile’ closed in July 2020, when trade ceased during the Pandemic, after being run by DJ Mick Ingram for 27 years.
She said during her visit: “It is really great to see small, independent businesses in places like Batley and Dewsbury doing well. This new venture has created jobs and provides a first-class offering.
“Businesses in small towns in the North of England are up against challenging times for a whole host of reasons.
“A huge thank you to the Bahadur family for contributing to the local economy and providing wonderful food.”
She said small towns like Batley were thriving, thanks to its booming food scene, and that Legends Café was just one example of how hard work and initiative can pay off.
Other dignitaries invited also included Dr Mohammed Ali, CEO of the QED Foundation and Ridwana Wallace-Laher, CEO of The Penny Appeal.
Mohammed Zahoor, who co-owns Legends Café with brother Mohammed Zafoor, and runs the café with support from other family members, including their Bradford businessman father Manzoor Bahadur, a former magistrate.
Mr Zahoor said: “It was an honour to host Prof Adeeba Malik and tell her about the warm welcome from the community here in Batley and Dewsbury, during our first six months.
“It was beneficial for us to talk to Prof Malik about business and trade and tell her our story.
“This place was empty and run down when we bought it and it took a long time and a lot of hard work from all the family, to get it refurbished.
“We offer tasty, home-cooked traditional British food, with a twist. Our Sunday Roasts are really popular as are our breakfasts.”
The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom after the Crown, and dates from Saxon times. She will represent King Charles locally, in upholding all matters related to the judiciary and law and order.
Prof Malik, whose duties will include attending royal visits in the county, said it was an “enormous honour” to take on the “important” year-long role.
Born to Pakistani parents, Prof Malik began work as a teacher in Bradford and Hull and for the past 32 years has been involved with the QED Foundation, which works to “improve the social and economic position of disadvantaged communities”.
