Community Heroes Award Winner
After a very successful online vote and some stiff competition, our congratulations go to Nigel Dowdney of the Stalham Shopper and Open All Hours store in Earlham, Norwich. Nigel has been a finalist in the competition since it was launched four years ago and each year has substantially increased his contribution to the local communities he serves, and we are very pleased to be able to crown him Community Hero for 2008. Nigel runs the two convenience stores with his wife Shaz, and he set up and has Chaired the West Earlham Trade Association (WETA) for the past two years. The association has since organised fairs involving the whole community and been responsible for securing Government funding for a new CCTV system, new awnings to shopping parades and further funding to improve shop frontage and signage, all as part of an effort to overhaul deprived areas in Norwich and attract investment to economically depressed areas. Nigel is also a trustee of the West Norwich Partnership, a charity set up to improve the area of West Norwich for the benefit of those who live and work there, and he is also a member of the BizFizz advice panel offering advice to start-up businesses. In addition, Nigel chairs ‘Buy Local (Norfolk) Ltd’, an organisation set up to encourage the promotion of local business within the community.
Nigel maintains a high level of campaigning on local community issues and we received a number of letters from councillors and business leaders he has worked with, supporting his entry and testifying to the hard work and dedication he has given the many initiatives he is involved in. And the initiatives are working, of them Nigel says: “Two years ago there would have been no hope of attracting the level of interest and investment into our area which we have so far achieved, let alone getting Christmas trees and lights up or seeing people dancing in the street on a summers evening.”
On winning the Award Nigel said: “To win the Communities Hero Awards this year was a very proud moment for myself and Shaz. We have worked very hard with many organisations and individuals to achieve a massive boost for the community of West Earlham. To receive recognition from our peers for this effort reflects how important community retailing is to our sector and is without doubt the 'icing on the cake' for us; many thanks to everyone who supported us.”
ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman said: “We are delighted to be able to showcase some truly outstanding and inspiring retailers. This year saw unprecedented interest and a record number of votes. Nigel is a deserving winner.
“Our thanks go to the other finalists, Nita Shah of Hermitage Post Office & Stores, and Jonathan James of James Graven & Sons/ Budgens, all three finalists set the benchmark very high this year. We would also like to thank all those who entered, with special mention going to Peter Penaluna of the Pinxton Co-op who we awarded a Highly Commended mark for their ‘From Farm to Fork’ children’s workshops.”
Picture from left to right: John Workman from P&G - Award Sponsors; Shaz Dowdney; Nigel Dowdney; James Lowman.