Morrisons knock-off "Morrisan" leaving Manchester shoppers in hysterics

The shopkeeper behind a viral Manchester knock-off 'Morrisan' store said he chose the name in homage to the well-known high-street supermarket chain.

Aref Ostadali, 24, who opened his corner shop just two weeks ago, said he "really loves" Morrisons and hopes they let him keep his copycat design. 

The young entrepreneur, who has already successfully sold one company, said it was always his "dream" to own a large grocery business. But as he was only able to afford a small store - selling drinks and snacks - he decided to give it a "big name" to attract more attention.

Aref, said locals have since flocked to his shop, near The Printworks, and loved taking photos with his signage in the background.

He said: "Everybody has a dream, and I wanted to have a big supermarket. I'm just 24 years old. But I had this dream, so I decided to start from somewhere to try and make that dream work.

"I was thinking about making a small shop but making a big name for it. That's why I chose to name it. It's a small shop but a big name - and a big dream. It's been open two weeks and thousands of people have taken photos. They really love taking pictures outside the shop. All the people who pass it will never forget the location. I really love Morrisons. It's really famous."

Aref's shop, 'Morrisan', replaces the famous high street chain's "o" with an "a" and shaves off an "s", while also bearing a very similar yellow and green colour scheme. But he dismissed the suggestion that the two shops were identical and said so far no one from Morrisons had been in touch with him.

He said: "It's not exactly the same name and logo. I had to change it. Nobody from Morrisons has reached out to me. I hope Morrisons will allow me to keep the name. I have respect for Morrisons. It's a big company. I really love them."

Amused locals, who spotted the newly opened premises, felt it resembled similar past attempts by store owners to adapt supermarket branding to their advantage.

In 2014, Gulfar Ahmed claimed his shop ‘Tecco Express’, in Salford was "completely different" to Tesco.

Social media users worried about how long the owner would be able to keep his doors open before a possible legal challenge arrived from the shopping giant.

One wrote: “Expect a cease and desist letter before the end of next week."

Another said: “Singhsburys has some competition.”

A further user joked: “Nothing will beat Tecco Express."

While another added: “Won't last long, anyone remember Harry Ramadan's chip shop?”

Morrisons has been contacted for comment.