Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Barbara Wouhra, wife of East End Foods founder Tony Wouhra, passes away

In 1967, she became one of the first English women to marry at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick

Barbara Wouhra, wife of East End Foods founder Tony Wouhra, passes away

Barbara Wouhra/LinkedIn

THE Wouhra family has announced the sad demise of Barbara Ann Wouhra, wife of East End Foods co-founder Tony Deep Wouhra and an influential figure in the early days of the business.

Surrounded by her family, she passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 25 December, at the age of 79, following a year-long battle with lymphoma. She has three children, daughter Nina and sons Paul and Roger.


Her role in the success of the company, which has become one of the UK's leading food wholesalers, cannot be overstated. In a heartfelt tribute posted on LinkedIn on Thursday (26), Roger shared the deep impact his mother had on the family business.

“My mother was pivotal in shaping my father as a future businessman. They met in the early 1960s when my father, an immigrant with £3 who came to the UK looking for work. It was my mother who introduced my father to Pat Austin who had a farm with 800 hens which provided him with stock to sell eggs door to door. He didn’t look back and after that East End Foods was born in the early 1970s,” Roger wrote.

Tony established the East End Foods spice manufacturing company in Wolverhampton in 1972. His mother was an integral part of the business in its early days, Roger said, helping her husband with various tasks, from chopping chickens to managing tills at their cash and carry stores.

Tony’s four brothers joined the business, and East End Foods would become one of the leading suppliers of Asian food to the UK and Europe. In 2019, the family sold the business to private equity firm Exponent.

Roger also reflected on his mother’s role beyond the business, highlighting her dedication to family life. “They say behind every successful man is a great woman, and that she truly was. What we all forget when we see people’s success stories is the other half who have supported and stuck by those who sacrificed family life and worked long hours… bringing up the children single handedly,” he shared.

Roger Wouhra on LinkedIn: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother…

Roger Wouhra on LinkedIn: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother…www.linkedin.com

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Barbara Ann Wouhra, wife of previous Chairman and Co-Founder of East End Foods plc, Dr… | 330 comments on LinkedIn

In addition to her business contributions, Barbara was also a trailblazer in her personal life. In 1967, she became one of the first English women to marry at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, breaking new ground at a time when interfaith marriages were rare.

In his post, Roger also expressed gratitude for the support his family received from the nurses of the charity Marie Curie, which provides specialist care for people with terminal illnesses.

“I would like to thank the Marie Curie nurses who looked after my mother in her final weeks. They really need support to keep the service going,” he said.

More For You

migrant crossings

The man is suspected of using online platforms to advertise illegal boat crossings

AFP via Getty Images

Asian man held in Birmingham for advertising migrant crossings online

AN ASIAN man has been arrested in Birmingham as part of an investigation into the use of social media to promote people smuggling, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Monday (15).

The 38-year-old British Pakistani man was detained during an NCA operation in the Yardley area. He is suspected of using online platforms to advertise illegal boat crossings between North Africa and Europe.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less