The Liverpool businessman watched the World in One City tour and knew what to do

A businessman from Liverpool knew what he had to do after watching the World in One City tournament.

Kal Mohamed took over the management of the family business that started over 45 years ago. His father arrived from Yemen and soon after started a newsagent in the Anfield area.

The 48-year-old has been in the family business all his life. About 30 years ago, the newspaper tenant also went into the fireworks trade and has since grown both businesses.

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Kal told the ECHO: “My dad came here in the late 1970s and opened a newsagent, on Breck Road. He grew the business and worked very hard, and I followed in his footsteps.

“I loved the shop game and I’ve been in the trade most of my life. He taught me what to do and I implemented it and moved it forward.

“About 30 years ago we, well, got into the fireworks game (Anfield Fireworks). I love fireworks, I’m obsessed with them, I’ve been doing them all my life.”

Kal added: “We’ve built it up over the years to become the biggest fireworks store in Liverpool and probably one of the biggest in England. We can’t be beaten on price, which helps many people in these difficult financial times”.

Run by family and friends, the newsagents were originally a single corner shop until they expanded into a double shop. The fireworks store was separated from the newsagents more than 20 years ago.

Unlike many pop-up fireworks shops you see leading up to Bonfire Night, Anfield Fireworks is open all year round. The demand for fireworks has increased, with people wanting them for various occasions throughout the year.

Kal said: “We don’t do exhibitions ourselves, we’ve done some community action over the last few years. We supply the Caribbean Centre, rugby firms, football teams who hold celebrations and for large events.

“Fireworks progressed and by keeping the store open all year we got massive. We do gender reveals, weddings, parties, birthdays, even funerals are becoming quite popular and Valentine’s Day”.

He and his father were football lovers. His father was a Liverpool fan and Kal used to go to the game a lot, growing up so close to the Anfield stadium. His passion remains, but this year he has turned his attention to community football and the World in One City (WIOC) tournament launched in 2021 by Toxteth man Imad Ali.

The WIOC brings together people from their national heritage, with 16 teams qualifying to play for the title of World Champions. This year’s event is again taking place at Jericho Lane in Otterspool.

Kal said: “The last few years have been very special. Last year was something that hit me because I saw the community, the atmosphere, the commitment of the guys, the fans and all these different countries, and it was something. especially in the air I felt, what a great atmosphere.

“It was unique and it was good to see people like that, especially through the hard times we’re going through. It was great to see and I thought, I love what they’re doing, I feel like I have to be a part of it.”

In need of new sponsorship, Kal saw his chance as he “really wanted to play a part in it”, saying: “Luckily for us we got there early and were more than happy. We like what the boys do, they don’t. Don’t stop Imad, Sam, Errol, everyone.

“We are the main sponsors and I’m proud to be. It was worth every penny. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”

Kal and Anfield Fireworks also sponsor Granby Toxteth Athletic (GTA) basketball. Other WIOC sponsors include; Applied Nutrition, Archii, Carpenters Group, Win Win Water and Soccer Locker.

He is enjoying this year’s tournament and is looking forward to the final on Sunday, June 30 at Jericho Lane. England, the 2022 winners, will thus face Libya, who as underdogs have picked up some big scalps by beating the first winners in 2021, Nigeria in the quarter-finals and then the Somali side.

Kal said: “This year is special again, players, managers, it’s been great and the fans are great, they laugh so much. It was electric, I’m made up, and honestly, without the fans it would be dead. would not be.

He concluded: “My advice to any business out there is that you should do something. Get involved as it’s always good to put a little back into the community. I think that’s good and I think you should always give something back. This is probably one. of the best things I want to donate to.

For information on WIOC visit HERE and for Anfield Fireworks HERE

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