Welcome to Ark

Good morning all,

It is time to say goodbye as I make preperations to close Ark, the Store in Batley.

For today, tomorrow (Friday) and Monday. The store will be emptying out but if you wanted to pop in and see what's left, feel free to pop in and pick up for FREE!! yes, for Free anthing that's left around as it will sadly end up at the waste yard.

It's been a pleasure to serve the community and I wish you all the best.

Kind regards,

Shams and Ark

Good morning to all and everyone in Batley.

Hope you've all had a wonderful summer, whether it be jet setting to far away lands or surviving the onslaught of children as you try and keep them entertained during the school holidays 🤪

It is with great sadness 🥹to announce that Ark shall be closing its doors soon.

I have enjoyed the great journey of being here on Commercial Street, meeting the wonderful community of Batley. We've had some great events, good laughs and conversations and I have been blessed to have met so many people from in and around the area, including those who visited from out of town and took the time to speak with me.

I have enjoyed every moment here at Ark and it is something I have appreciated the opportunity to help within the community as much as I could.

If you are in the area or passing by, I would love to see you all one last time before I head off into the sunset and take on new challenges that life may have in store for me.

From next week, Tuesday, I will begin our closing down sale so please, pop in and grab some bargains and help me empty the store out :D

Take care and all the best!

Shams

Good day to all, I'm reaching out to the community as I have some commercial laundry equipment for sale at Ark.

I had bought these in when I first decided to open the store, plans were to provide laundry services to those who can't do their own. Unfortunatley, it never had the chance to take off and I'm looking to sell them.

If anyone might have contacts interested in such items, do let them know. They can pop in and see them as they are downstairs on the main shop floor.

Items currently available:

Silc - Heated Vacuum ironing table and Steam Iron.
Miele Rotary iron
Schulthess - Tumble dryer and a washer (faulty PCB board and on top floor)

Many thanks,
Shams

Good afternoon everyone!

We have a full bin liner of cuddly bears for £5. Good enough for your dogs to play with.

FREE to go, Bags for life full of random books, collection in person.

Just pop in and ask for a bag of books & we'll sort one out for you.

Good afternoon all,

It's been a while since we last posted but just to let you know we have some great items in store for sale and all at great prices.

Solid Oak finish display cabinet
Antique dolls pram with dolls
2 halogen air fryers both large capacity, one uses digital controls the other dials.
Matching children's chest of drawer, toy box and a child rocking chair plus some dolls.
A 3 set picture frame set with heart designs and made from recycled materials
GHD short hair styler
IPL hair removal kit
WAHL professional hair trimmer set

Plus more in-store, so come on by and have a looksie!

Good morning all (well at the time of writing this!)

Just to let everyone know that we have a selection of Ladies clothing bundles. Sizes 8,10,12,14,16,18,20-22!

The full bags are priced at £20 each with the smaller bundles according to size.

It's a bit of a lucky dip of what's in each bag but rest assured they are all in very good condition and a worthy addition to any wardrobe 😎

Come bag a bundle of a bargain 🤣

Good afternoon to all!

Hope all are well and are looking forward to the frightning sights of Halloween this weekend!

We're at it again with our end of month Flash Sale, all clothing in the main store are priced to go at £1 each, everything including jumpers, jeans, dresses you name it it's a pound.

So come along and grab some bargains before they're gone and I mean, they will be gone by the weekend.

Also, due to the school holidays starting this Thursday, the store will be closed and reopening, week commencing 6th November!

Have a wonderful day and see you all soon!

Good afternoon all.

As of next week from Monday, 11th, September. We shall aim to open:

Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm as our "Core" hours.

What this means, is we shall endeavour to open between these hours. As long as we have cover to open, expect to find us in.

We may from time to time be open earlier and close later but these are, as and when we are able to.

If I'm still standing, we shall open Saturdays too, 10am to 2pm but this is not guaranteed and you may find us closed. That said, if you are returning to purchase/pick up items, do let me know and I will ensure to open for your visit :)

A gentle reminder of what we have to offer:

The store has everything from clothes, toys to small furniture and electrical appliances plus more, we literally have everything.

Including stuff I didn't know existed 😆

More importantly, our store is a "Safe space" for all to visit and be one's self, enjoy a chat or even a hot drink and a seat. Our motto is that it's always "Good to Talk" anything and everything, within moderation and with consideration to others.

We look forward to seeing you in soon!

Good afternoon to all!

The summer hols are officially over, BOOOOO!!! The daily chore of school runs etc. are back but fret not! The sun is still out for one last hurrah and to put a smile on everyone's faces 😁

Our "sizzling" summer sale just became a "SCORCHER" !!!!!!!! that's right, everything is about to melt away as we prepare for our Autumn and Winter range.

So for this and next week, we are having a Buy One, Get One Free offer on all sale items that were already at a POUND!!! yes, that's right a QUID, £1! so that's two items for a single pound.

So come on in and raid our stock while it lasts 🤣

Good morning, all!

The summer is in full swing......well our "British" summer is in full swing 🤪

To help support our cause as we're in dire help in keeping our doors open. We are having a massive summer sale in store!!!

All clothing in the main floor is a pound...THATS RIGHT folks! everything is quid, £1, unnero poundo :D

Mens, Womens and children's clothing all a pound each...catch me before I keep the best stuff for my standard rail :D

See you all soon!

Good morning to all and everyone in Batley!

The summer hols are in full swing and dare I say....The sun is trying its hardest to stay out and shine :)

A couple of announcements from Ark.

Firstly, as it is the summer holidays I will be open as and when able to, due to having both girls at home. If you are passing by and see our shutters up and open, do pop in and say hello :)

Secondly, more a call for help and a reminder that we are happily taking donations of all types including clothing, please could you ensure they are washed before bringing them round to us.

Also, if required I may be able to arrange collection for large amounts of donations if you are unable to drop them to us. Please get in touch to discuss possible collections.

Many thanks for your support and don't forget, we have freshly ground coffee available for you to pick up or sit in and enjoy along with a chat :)

ARK - It's good to talk!

Good afternoon to all.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the sunshine. Bask in it while we still can :)

Just a quick reminder that we are still open for business, a chat and hot drinks to boot.

We have plenty of great quality items for sale and at really low prices. Who needs Poundland when you can buy two for a pound on our childrens tops, tees and bottoms :)

We are also selling freshly ground coffee in store and to takeaway. When you're next in the high street grabbing a morning coffee. Why not give us a try and see how we compare.

Hope to see you all soon.

Good morning to you all!

Is it us or does it feel like a heatwave today 😆 It's so nice to not feel like a popsicle when getting out of bed or heading out that door!

Sadly this week we shall be closed due to illness and school holidays, we may open when we are able to.

Any donations for Ark, could you send a message and we'll arrange something for you to bring them in.

If we don't see you before the weekend, do have a wonderful festive period and enjoy each day as they come along :)

From everyone at Ark!

Good morning to all!

Another Monday and a whole week down to bring us closer to the festivities :)

This week we are open on the following days:

Tuesday: 10am to 2pm
Thursday: 10am to 2pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm

We shall resume normal opening times from next Monday, which are as follows:

Monday to Saturday: 10am to 2pm

Although you may find us open earlier and later on most days :)

Have a great Monday and week ahead.

Good evening to all from ARK. Market Place is getting busier as the night draws in.

We've turned our store into a winter wonderland thanks to the amazing work by Belinda Newsome .

If you're in the area, come pay us a visit and say hello 😊

Good evening to all from a very excited Ark :)

So tomorrow, 2nd December, Our Market square will be buzzing from 4pm and all lit up from 7pm.

If you're around tomorrow after school, please pop in and check out our very own winter wonderland lighting show at Ark. We'll be lighting up the store from 4:30pm as a little warm up before the main event further up the square.

Have a great evening and can't wait to see some of you tomorrow and our lighting spectactular :D

https://youtu.be/3eq_pXsHpFY

The video is what we as Muslims view Charity, which is more than just money.

Ayesha Khatun and Rubina Khanom were the names of my late mother and wife.

ARK was born out of respect and honour of them both, who gave to charity all the time. Whatever amount was asked of or the help they provided in supporting friends, family, colleagues and the people around them. They gave without question, hesitation or concerns.

In Islam, Sadaqah Jaria means the act of continued charity after ones death.

Ark Sadaqah Jaria Limited is my limited company by guarantee. Which is the official way to setup a non-profit business with HMRC.

The store is one half of what I do as its sole purpose is to ensure that the doors are always open for all to visit and talk to myself and my volunteers about anything. We offer a clean, safe and comfortable environment so that people have a place to interact with people and become outgoing once again. Covid, personal losses, mental health difficulties including stress, anxiety and those that are clinicially diagnosed. All are welcome to visit, enjoy a hot or cold drink with us in our comfy chairs.

I rely on the store doing well in order for the charity to have a space to exist in. I am not backed by a head office or a national brand. Just my own personal investment, hard work, sweat and tears.

I have been blessed to share my own stories of hardship and life difficulties with everyone who has visited my store. I feel privileged and honoured that everyone who has visited and told me of their own personal hardships, conditions and feelings.

The NHS has a long waiting list for funded therapy, many don't get that far or want to. We are not group therapy as there are many established groups in our community. We provide a first step to just talking and being a stranger willing to listen.

We have support from TCD Charity for when we need to refer those in need of further help. We met with TakeTen Mental Health & Su***de Prevention CIC at the Wellbeing event and added another referral contact for those needing their level of support and expertise.

Ark is a charity and we applied for status when first started but as a new startup charity, we were rejected but now after a year of being open, hosting events in store and offering some happy and fun moments with our window displays and banter in store. We have defined what we are and how we help our community. We shall be making a formal application soon and fingers crossed we shall be approved.

Charity is the act of helping ones fellow neighbour, community, family and friends. That can both be monetary and just by helping, being there and kindness.

A number is not a charity and it is everyone's own right and individual opinion and decision whether to support a cause in the name of charity with money, help or anything else for that matter.

I urge everyone to think for yourself and although I can't convince everyone via social media. Come and visit us, have a coffee or tea and get to know me and what I do here. You all know where we are at, I invite you all for "Dawah" to feel what I feel and learn more about us, if you still feel that we are not genuine. Then I respect your opinion and bid you all the best.

One final comment, I am a Yorkshire lad born and raised in York, studied in Sheffield and worked in Leeds. Batley is my home town now and for my girls, this is my community and I suport it deeply and will do so for as long as we are here.

I'd spoken to Kim Leadbeater MP here in our store and we had such a great discussion on how we can improve the high street and Batley as a whole. Along with the Batley Business Association and the great work they do, we all have one aim, that is to be united and to improve our community and town together.

What does charity really mean - M***i Menk Subscribe to the Official M***i Menk Channel----Official M***i Menk Channel:Study Hadith with M***i Menk at Eman AcademyGet your first month FREE with code '...

Good morning to all and hope you're enjoying the mild weekend weather we are having.

I wanted to retell a story to everyone.

February 2020:
The photo I have shared was the last time we were happy as a complete family. The most important women in my life are to my left (right on photo) my beatiful wife and mother to our children and the mother who brought me to this world, raised me and loved so dearly. In Islam it is narrated that paradise is at the feet of your mother, they are the path to paradise so long as you love them, look after them and be there for them.

April 2020, Ramadan:
My mother was suddenly taken to hospital with what we thought was a severe chest infection. It turned out to be COVID-19 and with lock-down, it was to be the last time anyone saw her in person. I'm stuck in Batley not knowing what to do and 3 weeks later, we are invited to see mum and speak to the doctor about her condition via video call. It was a shock to see her incubated with pipes everywhere, this was not the lasting memory I wanted, considering in February you can see how happy she was. We were told she had days to live and they will soon take her off the venitlator. It was the following day when my dad and brother were allowed to visit, speak and pray to her. She soon passed away the moment, they both got home.

When I found out, it was the first time in my adult life that I had cried. I was not able to do more as a son or ask for forgiveness of my shortcomings.

December 2020 two days before my youngest's birthday:
I found my wife in our room no longer with us. That was a huge smack in the face, punch in the gut and kicking while I was down. My life was completely turned upside down from that moment and I was down, I was low, I spent most of my time on the floor, just able to look after the kids and take them to school and find ways to explain what had happened and was happening. 2 and 4 were their ages and I had to do something, that I wasn't epecting or taught how to, I'm now a single dad with no family to support me in Batley.

I cried for the second time in my adult life and was unrecognisable when I tried to speak with family.

Good morning we have two Grade A fully refurbished laptops in store. £200 each. They look amazing and will be a great gift to the budding student or small business owner this christmas.

Technical specs:
8GB RAM 180GB SSD IN. Product type: Notebook, Form factor: Clamshell. Processor family: Intel® Core™ i5, Processor model: i5-4300M, Processor frequency: 2.6 GHz. Display diagonal: 35.6 cm (14"), Display resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels. Internal memory: 8 GB, Internal memory type: DDR3L-SDRAM. Total storage capacity: 180 GB, Storage media: SSD, Optical drive type: DVD-RW. On-board graphics card model: Intel® HD Graphics 4600. Operating system installed: Windows 10 Pro.

We have for sale a new "opened box" Phillips 32" full HD smart TV with built in Freeview. The TV is still in original wrapping and hasn't been used.

Ark price - £195

https://www.philips.ie/c-p/32PFS6805_05/6800-series-fhd-led-smart-tv