News archive

1 May 07 Community Award Winner

Martin and Aileen Lovell, owners of Shobdon Village Stores, in rural Herefordshire, have been crowned the Association of Convenience Stores' (ACS) Community Heroes 2007.

The Awards, sponsored by Procter and Gamble, recognise the work that neighbourhood retailers do in their local communities.

Martin and Aileen, who operate under the Premier symbol, were, for the very first time, voted for by ACS members after an online poll on ACS' website, www.thelocalshop.com.

Martin and Aileen's entry proved how they have immersed themselves in community life since they took over the store three years ago. The couple have recently launched a website www.shobdonvillage.co.uk to provide a one stop access point for information about the Parish. They also sponsor and support numerous local events including the local junior rugby team, which Martin is a volunteer manager of, and offer extra services for their customers including delivering shopping and gas cylinders to their elderly residents and distributing medicines on behalf of the local Doctor's surgery.

The winners were announced at the Gala Dinner of ACS' annual conference, Summit 07, on 1 May.

The Lovell's held off strong competition from the two other finalists, who won free places Summit 07, were Kishor Patel, a Nisa retailer from Bedfordshire, Nigel Dowdney, a Red Orange member from Norwich.

James Lowman, ACS Chief Executive, said: "All three entries were fantastic examples of how local shops can be a major part of communities. Martin and Aileen's entry has shown how important the services and care they provide are to their local community, and they really do epitomise exactly what the Community Heroes Award is all about."

Martin Lovell said: "I am delighted to have won ACS' Community Heroes Award. I am proud of our staff and neighbourhood, and without both our shop wouldn't survive. We have gone the extra mile to make our shop the centre of our community and winning this Award recognises all the hard work we have done."

19 Feb 07 Asian Trader Awards Winner

Anila Ali, owner of the Premier c-store in Tranent, Scotland, was named Asian Trader Business Woman of the Year at an award ceremony in London.  Armed with a degree in accountancy, Anila had no previous retail experience so it was a learning curve when she and her husband took control of the existing Premier. Ten months later, she was being praised by the Asian Trader judges.  ‘It was a real honour to even be selected and when I won I was speechless,’ said Anila. ‘I think the secret is a close relationship with the local community. Our core customers always stand by us.’