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Now in its eighth year, the initiative aims to seek out and reward convenience store owners and staff members who have consistently exceeded expectations in providing support to their local communities – and there have certainly been plenty of those over these past 12 months.
Unsung Heroes is designed to highlight independent retailers and their staff who ‘go the extra mile’ in helping their customers and local communities.
That could be through support for local charities, neighbourhood groups, schools, other community services, or a combination of the above.
It could be providing free delivery services to elderly or vulnerable people during the pandemic, or supporting foodbanks and homelessness projects.
We want to hear about people who take an active role in local affairs or have, in some way, made a special effort to help their customers.
Winners will be featured in Independent Retail News over the coming months, before being invited to a VIP lunch at a top venue later in the year to receive their certificates and prizes.
Marathon man
Due to the pandemic, last year’s lunch was replaced by a virtual event held over Zoom, with each of the winners receiving a food hamper and voucher to share with good causes of their choice.
Our first Unsung Hero of 2020 was Miv Chahal, who runs a 1,690sq ft store in Prudhoe, Northumberland, along with his family.
Chahal was among the first independent retailers to set up a free delivery service for his elderly and vulnerable customers when cornonavirus struck in the early part of last year.
At its height, the service was making 30 deliveries a day. But this was no big leap for a store that has been supporting the local community for years, not least through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally scheme.
Groups that have benefited included schools, football teams and a nearby retirement home.
A keen marathon runner, Chahal attracted attention last May when he ran 15 miles around the local shopping precinct to raise more than £2,000 for NHS charities.
Sheltered housing
The next of our heroes of 2020 was Anne Louise Morgans, owner of the Spar store in Johnstown, Carmarthen, who was recognised for her ongoing support of a local sheltered housing complex.
She too set up a delivery service during the first lockdown, drawing strong praise from scheme manager Farhad Ali, who nominated Morgans for the award.
The store also helped residents access cash throughout the early days of the pandemic.
Again, though, this was no one-off. Morgans has supported the community since opening the shop some 20 years ago, including sponsorship of the local cricket club, the primary school, the Carmarthen Youth Opera and raising money for the NHS.
Collecting money for the local hospital was particularly close to Morgans’ heart, as her husband Ralph had been treated there.
Volunteer scheme
Our final winner last year was Amish Shingadia, who runs a 1,200sq ft Londis in Caterways, near Horsham in West Sussex.
His support for the community included giving back about £1,000 a year out of the store’s profits to local causes, such as the annual summer fête that takes place very near the shop.
In 2020, he set up a delivery network using local volunteers to help get food to those who were confined to their houses on medical advice or were having to self-isolate.
Thanks to the help of the volunteers, the service as able to operate within a 10-mile radius of the store and was also able to offer basic post office services such as posting letters and withdrawing cash.
The service became so well-known locally that the council got in touch asking if the details could be shared with other stores in West Sussex.
Nor was it just deliveries. Shingadia also started a pick-up service whereby customers phoned in their order and then came to collect it at the shop door, thus avoiding the need to mingle with other shoppers.
As well as providing these local services, Shinghadia’s Londis also gave much needed support to causes including the Worthing Hospital, providing food for local food banks and personal protective equipment to care homes in the area.
HOW TO ENTER
If you think that you – or someone else you would like to nominate – have what it takes to be one of this year’s Unsung Heroes, simply fill in the entry form on page 19 of Independent Retail News’ June issue, providing as much information as possible.
Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary. Include relevant photographs to illustrate achievements and the difference make to customers and the community.
Alternatively, you can enter via email by sending your details to: david.shrimpton@emap.com
Entries will be judged by Independent Retail News and Nisa. Winners will be interviewed in-store before being featured in the magazine later during the year.
