Wing Yip
Encyclopedia
Wing Yip is a Chinese supermarket
chain in the United Kingdom
, founded in 1969.
The current Birmingham store now also serves as its headquarters office, international trading division, property and investments, online store (mail order), warehouse
, and national distribution centre. The company has superstore branches in Manchester
and Greater London
(namely, Croydon
and North London (M1 Jct 1) Cricklewood
). In addition, the company has expanded into wholesale and export (international trade), and real estate
development/management, such as siting its stores within larger commercial centres.
Wing Yip have been supplying Chinese Restaurants and Takeaways, the Chinese community and food enthusiasts with Chinese groceries and other authentic products for more than 40 years.
, was born in Dongguan County, Guangdong, China
in 1940. He arrived in the United Kingdom from Hong Kong
in 1959 with ten pounds at the age of 19. With an annual turnover of 80 million pounds, he became the first Chinese tycoon in the UK.
Mr Wing Yip was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen on 10 March 2010 at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace and awarded an OBE for his services to the Oriental food industry.
Mr Wing Yip said “I was so surprised and feel very honoured, especially after coming here as an immigrant. I knew when I arrived in the UK that I wanted to be more than a waiter and quickly became head waiter, then opened my first restaurant with my business partners in Clacton in 1962. I would like to thank all my staff who have provided me with their support and dedication and made the success of Wing Yip possible.”
This first Wing Yip store in Digbeth employs fewer than ten people and quickly gains a following in the Chinese community and with those interested in Chinese cooking.
The landmark Chinese Arch with handmade tiles from China is erected.
The Wing Yip range of sauces finds favour with visitors to the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC.
The redevelopment of the Cricklewood site begins. The project will see the building of a new enlarged cash and carry store open to the trade and the public with underground parking, a Business Centre including a Chinese restaurant together with an office building all in an Oriental style.
July 2005 - begins major expansion at the Cricklewood location.
The Wing Yip Group now operates from four freehold sites covering 16.3 acres (65,963.8 m²) and employs 300 staff.
Other strategic sites in the UK have been proposed and new stores are to be built.
Since its inception over 300 bursaries have been granted.
Applications come from across the UK, China
, Hong Kong
, Malaysia, Taiwan
and elsewhere all demonstrating high standards of achievement in various fields from law and medicine to IT and the arts.
The Board of Selectors carefully consider the applicants and agree a select number of outstanding achievers to receive support. Successful applicants are invited to attend a special event to receive their bursaries in the heart of London’s Chinatown.
Renowned solicitor Michael Chiu, who was previously on the Board of Selectors, said: "The standard of all the entrants is always excellent and it is an arduous task to decide on the final list of awards. We reach our decisions based on three criteria: the students' ability in their field; interest and passion in their subject; and lastly the nature of the core subject itself, which the Board considered to be worthy of support."
Asian supermarket
An Asian supermarket, sometimes called an "Oriental supermarket", is a grocery store in non-Asian countries that stocks items imported from the many countries in East and Southeast Asia. They carry items and ingredients generally well-suited for Asian cuisines and not found in most Western...
chain in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, founded in 1969.
The current Birmingham store now also serves as its headquarters office, international trading division, property and investments, online store (mail order), warehouse
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
, and national distribution centre. The company has superstore branches in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and Greater London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(namely, Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
and North London (M1 Jct 1) Cricklewood
Cricklewood
Cricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:...
). In addition, the company has expanded into wholesale and export (international trade), and real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
development/management, such as siting its stores within larger commercial centres.
Wing Yip have been supplying Chinese Restaurants and Takeaways, the Chinese community and food enthusiasts with Chinese groceries and other authentic products for more than 40 years.
Founder
The founder, Woon Wing YipWoon Wing Yip
Woon Wing Yip OBE is a Chinese-born British entrepreneur, best known for having started the Wing Yip supermarket chain.A Hakka born in Dongguan, Guangdong in 1940, Yip arrived in Birmingham, United Kingdom from Hong Kong in 1959 with 10 pounds at the age of 19...
, was born in Dongguan County, Guangdong, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in 1940. He arrived in the United Kingdom from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in 1959 with ten pounds at the age of 19. With an annual turnover of 80 million pounds, he became the first Chinese tycoon in the UK.
Mr Wing Yip was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen on 10 March 2010 at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace and awarded an OBE for his services to the Oriental food industry.
Mr Wing Yip said “I was so surprised and feel very honoured, especially after coming here as an immigrant. I knew when I arrived in the UK that I wanted to be more than a waiter and quickly became head waiter, then opened my first restaurant with my business partners in Clacton in 1962. I would like to thank all my staff who have provided me with their support and dedication and made the success of Wing Yip possible.”
Chronology
- 1959 - Wing Yip arrives in England by boat from Hong Kong.
- 1960s - Wing Yip opens a restaurant with partners in a former tea shop in Clacton-on-Sea. This is quickly followed by a further three restaurants and two take-aways in the East Anglia region. In 1968, he is joined by his brother, Sammy Yap who worked in the hotel trade in Hong Kong.
- 1970 - Wing Yip and his brother Sammy open a specialist Chinese grocery in Digbeth, BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, supplying more than 1,000 genuine Chinese products to restaurants and takeaways as well as to Chinese families in and around BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
This first Wing Yip store in Digbeth employs fewer than ten people and quickly gains a following in the Chinese community and with those interested in Chinese cooking.
- 1975 - After five years of trading, the business moves to larger premises in nearby Coventry Street where it is to be based for the next 17 years. The new site offers car parking for customers and attracts Chinese business tenants including a travel agent.
- 1977 - Lee Sing Yap joins his brothers Wing Yip and Sammy. Together they open a ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
store on Faulkner Street in ManchesterManchesterManchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
's Chinatown area which enjoys a thriving restaurant scene.
- 1978 - A second Manchester store opens on Addington Street. This larger site based outside the city centre provides free car parking and other facilities to meet the demands of restaurant and takeaway owners.
- 1986 - The brothers buy and develop a 2.24 acres (9,065 m²) site on Oldham Road - Manchester on the edge of the city centre. The Manchester operations are brought together at the new premises.
- 1988 - The first LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
store opens in Cricklewood on Edgware Road (A5 next to Junction 1 of the M1). Following the success of the Birmingham and Manchester stores, demand grows from customers based in and around the Greater LondonGreater LondonGreater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
area for a store in the south of the country.
- 1992 - The Birmingham business moves from Coventry Street to large modern premises in Nechells in Birmingham. The site together with its associated Wing Yip Business Centre attracts tenants such as solicitors, a doctor and accountants who use it as a base to serve the Chinese community.
- 1995 - The Wing Yip Brand of sauces launches to enable caterers and food manufacturers to create authentic Chinese meals with the flavour profile of the finest Chinese restaurants and takeways. A retail range is also launched.
- 1995 - The second London store opens in CroydonCroydonCroydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
on Purley Way (A23). The site incorporates its own Business Centre with Chinese and Malaysian restaurants as well as other Chinese businesses. The site becomes a local landmark with its Oriental design and wins a Croydon Design Award for its architecture and Chinese Arch.
- 1996 - The Birmingham site grows to 7 acres (28,328 m²) with the purchase and development of further land including a public road. The additional land is developed to include a large modern central distribution warehouse and an Oriental-style Business Centre with a range of Chinese businesses including two fine restaurants, a bank, lawyers and accountants.
The landmark Chinese Arch with handmade tiles from China is erected.
- 1998 - Wing Yip and his brothers donate a 40 feet (12.2 m) granite pagoda to the City of Birmingham in thanks to the city and its people for providing a home for them and their families and for the city’s support over the years. The pagoda which was hand-carved in China is erected at Holloway Circus close to Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter.
- 2003 - The Manchester site is redeveloped to provide a truly Oriental setting for customers, with an enlarged cash and carry store and a new Business Centre incorporating a successful Chinese restaurant, a branch of HSBCHSBCHSBC Holdings plc is a global banking and financial services company headquartered in Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. it is the world's second-largest banking and financial services group and second-largest public company according to a composite measure by Forbes magazine...
and other tenants.
- 2004 - Wing Yip's online shopping site launches primarily to serve UK consumers and orders are received from Europe and as far away as Australia. The site includes recipes, cooking and dining information as well as cultural sections.
The Wing Yip range of sauces finds favour with visitors to the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC.
- 2005 - The Wing Yip exhibit at the International Food Exhibition at Exel in London and tastings of the sauces prove extremely popular with visitors.
The redevelopment of the Cricklewood site begins. The project will see the building of a new enlarged cash and carry store open to the trade and the public with underground parking, a Business Centre including a Chinese restaurant together with an office building all in an Oriental style.
July 2005 - begins major expansion at the Cricklewood location.
- Today - the CricklewoodCricklewoodCricklewood is a district of North London, England whose northeastern part is in the London Borough of Barnet, western part is the London Borough of Brent and southeastern part is in London Borough of Camden.-History:...
redevelopment is completed.
The Wing Yip Group now operates from four freehold sites covering 16.3 acres (65,963.8 m²) and employs 300 staff.
Other strategic sites in the UK have been proposed and new stores are to be built.
Awards
- October 2008 - The Mai Siam range achieved Gold Stars at the prestigious Great Taste Awards
- September 2008 - Chairman, Wing Yip has recently been presented with two coveted awards in recognition of his outstanding business success and services to the local business economy. Birmingham City University presented him with an honorary doctorate to mark his 36-year contribution to industry in the city.
- April 2008 - Wing Yip (Manchester) Ltd achieved North West Business of the Year in the Ethnic Minority Business Forum Awards, to celebrate the contribution made by black and ethnic minority businesses.
- 2006 - Wing Yip was the Winner of The Lord Chan Award for Outstanding Individual.http://www.visiblechinese.com/website/profile/wing_yip/
- June 2005 - Tony Ritson, Information Technology Manager for Wing Yip, wins Best Information Security Manager 2005 as awarded by SC Magazine.http://www.wingyip.com/news.html
Wing Yip Bursaries
Wing Yip established the W Wing Yip & Brothers Bursaries to encourage and provide financial assistance to a set number of students of Chinese origin, local and from overseas, to complete their studies in the United Kingdom.Since its inception over 300 bursaries have been granted.
Applications come from across the UK, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Malaysia, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and elsewhere all demonstrating high standards of achievement in various fields from law and medicine to IT and the arts.
The Board of Selectors carefully consider the applicants and agree a select number of outstanding achievers to receive support. Successful applicants are invited to attend a special event to receive their bursaries in the heart of London’s Chinatown.
Renowned solicitor Michael Chiu, who was previously on the Board of Selectors, said: "The standard of all the entrants is always excellent and it is an arduous task to decide on the final list of awards. We reach our decisions based on three criteria: the students' ability in their field; interest and passion in their subject; and lastly the nature of the core subject itself, which the Board considered to be worthy of support."