Retailers honoured for ‘heroic’ community support during pandemic

The final three were chosen from 12 retailers and now go forward to the national awards run by the NFRN, the organisation representing newsagents, which takes place in January when the overall winner will be announced.

Terry Caton, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and two Scottish retailers, Jawad Javed from Falkirk and Dennis Williams (Edinburgh) were presented with framed certificates and hundreds of pounds worth of stock from the event sponsors as part of the Shop Local, Shop Little Heroes initiative.

The organization launched the Heroes awards “to recognise the outstanding work done by its members to help and support their local communities”.

It followed the Shop Local, Shop Little campaign which reminded shoppers that local independent stores could provide for all their needs while Covid restrictions were in place.

NFRN national president Stuart Reddish said: “Our members’ stores really are hubs in their communities and already do a lot of great work to support their local charities and good causes.

During the pandemic so many of them stepped their efforts up to another level.

“As well as working long hours and keeping their doors open for essential supplies, the moving stories we heard ranged from setting up free delivery services for the elderly and vulnerable, raising money for people in hardship, giving away free meals and donating to food banks.

“All of this made it extremely difficult to whittle down entries to the three finalists.”

Joanna Cherry, MP for Edinburgh South West, who attended the recent celebration lunch in London, said: “During the pandemic, local convenience stores came into their own, so it was a real pleasure for me to see people being rewarded for that and having their service to their communities recognised.”