Beccles: Pearl River Chinese owners retire after 30 years

Wai Tsang and Yen Tsang took over Pearl River in Beccles in 1992 after moving to England to start a new life.

But after three decades behind the counter, Mrs Tsang said the "time was right" to retire.

"We've had an incredible 30 years serving the community and we started by wanting to give our children a better life," she said.

"Some customers came as teenagers and we've seen them all grow up and have families and still come to the shop and order food."

The Tsang's tenure with the business began with a stroke of luck after the family scooped £150 on a lottery win.

Mrs Tsang said they went to a wholesaler in Lowestoft and purchased stock to set themselves up.

But the mum-of-two revealed one of her highlights was donating food to a local medical centre to "do their bit" during the Covid pandemic.

"Everything was shut and we couldn't open for two weeks," she said.

"We cooked a lot of food and donated it to the Beccles Medical Centre.

"It was nice because we cooked a big meal for them and surprised them during that difficult time so it was one of our big highlights."

Daughter Stephanie Tsang, 24, said she was pleased that her mum and dad could start to "enjoy life again".

She said: "I'm glad because this has been our way of life for a long time. 

"I'm 24 now and I've got my own job. I'm used to seeing my mum and dad really late at night because they're working all the time.

"It's nice to be able to see mum and dad really happy and able to go out and do things."

Pearl River remains open as usual but under new management.

Mrs Tsang added: "We wanted to pass the business over to owners who we felt were in our position when we first started and we think we have.

"We wish them all the best and we're sure it will all go well."