ACS

ACS is proud to launch the Community Heroes Award 2009. Now in its fourth year, the award recognises retailers who put significant energy, commitment and effort into working for the benefit of their local community.

Entries for the awards are encouraged from retailers who can demonstrate that they and their staff have achieved something that has made a real and tangible difference to their community environment. This year, the awards are set on exceeding the high standards set during previous years. We are keen to hear from retailers of all sizes who go the extra mile and create sustainable relationships and activities that set them apart as community leaders. Examples of this might be:
• providing services for vulnerable members of your community
• organising events that boost relationships locally between residents and local amenities
• lobbying your local MP and councillors
• inviting feedback from your local community and taking action as a result of that
• forging relationships with your local authorities

In 2009, the ACS Community Heroes Award will be supported by P&G, a leading supplier to the UK convenience channel and a keen supporter of effective community initiatives. From the entries received, three finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry experts. Once shortlisted, the winner will be decided in an online vote by visitors to the ACS website, where there will be a page dedicated to each of the finalists explaining why they deserve your vote.

In addition to the voting process, and for the first time this year, awards supporter P&G will provide every entrant with a prize they can use within their local community. Each entry will receive a Gillette Fusion rugby team training pack, complete with kit and equipment which retailers can share with their local village team or other organisation to help build their own local profile.

2008 ACS Community Heroes winner Nigel Dowdney said; “It was a real honour winning the Community Heroes award in 2008, not only for myself and Shaz, my wife, but also for our staff, our customers and our local community, who were all extremely proud of the fact that they had played a major part in helping us achieve this accolade. It has given us a major boost as local Independent community retailers and we are constantly asked what we are going to do next.

“The media, including TV, radio and newspapers supported us strongly and encouraged everyone to vote for us. The amount of exposure that our businesses received over a three month period was absolutely fantastic. The award and the recognition from our peers of our achievements really made all the hard work we put into our community absolutely worthwhile.'“

All three finalists are guests at ACS Summit at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 30th April 2009, and the winner will be announced at the Gala dinner following the conference.

Jon Workman, P&G Sales Director, and one of this year’s judges, said “At P&G, we know the importance of community to many successful independent retailers across the UK. For many consumers, these stores provide an invaluable service and there are retailers who take that extra step every day, who go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that children, elderly or other customers have all of their needs met by their local shop. These stores are often the very hub of their local surroundings and we want to not only help them shout about their success, but also share their best practice with others nationwide.”

ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman said; “The standard of entries last year was extremely high, which goes to show that retailers are investing in their local communities and making themselves different to their larger competitors. This year we want to see entries from retailers who go that bit further to support their community; we know they are out there and we are looking forward to hearing about them.”

Along with the honour of being crowned Community Hero 2009, the winner will be awarded a cheque for the sum of £1000.

Click here for an entry form or email Nina Collins or ring on 01252 515001.