Community Heroes Award
ACS is proud to launch the 2011 Community Heroes Award . Now in its sixth year, the award recognises retailers who go the extra mile, putting 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. The standards are incredibly high after last year’s competition was won by Budgens retailer Dee Patel, whose community work has led to over £200,000 in charitable donations.
The voting for the 2011 Community Heroes Award has now concluded.
The winner will be announced at Summit11 on March 1.
The Finalists
Lesley Brown, Frankmarsh Stores (Barnstaple)
Lesley Brown's Frankmarsh Stores is the focal point for community activity and regeneration of the local area. Lesley's work in the community has led to her appointment as Barnstaple's Deputy Mayor and her commitment to making Barnstaple a safer, tidier place is unwavering. This year, she has headed up a Tidy up our Town campaign and launched a successful Street Champions scheme on a neighbouring estate, amongst many other things.
Lesley and her staff take part in many fundraising events to raise money for good causes, including the introduction of a new community office which was opened in the presence of the local MP, the Mayor and many local journalists. Lesley is committed to working with the community, and has attended formal courses to improve her knowledge of local engagement.
Throughout the year, Frankmarsh Stores has held a number of fundraising events and introduced great competitions like waxing, pancake tossing, "Guess the name of the dog" and many more.
Lesley also writes a blog for the ACS website. Read her latest thoughts on the industry here.
Paul Cheema, Costcutter (Coventry)
For the last 26 years, Paul Cheema has been running the family business in Coventry and has taken his Costcutter store from strength to strength. The Cheema's store prides itself on being at the very heart of the community, promoting and fundraising for local charities, donating prizes for raffles and holding community events over Christmas and for the World Cup.
The store is on the front foot when it comes to the serious issues facing retailers by offering store facilities to host police surgeries and neighbourhood watch forums. This, according to Paul, is an essential part of the business as it shows that he and his staff take the responsibility of running a licensed business very seriously.
In the future, the store is going to be an active supporter of Combat Stress, a charity which provides help for those returning home from military duties with psychological problems and physical injuries. The store is also improving its service to customers, with a new food to go offering in place and a constant commitment to widening the range of goods available to benefit the local community.
Paul also writes a blog for the ACS website. Read his latest thoughts on the industry here.
Kishor Patel, Nisa (Houghton Regis)
Kishor Patel's Houghton Trading business, which currently comprises seven stores in the area, is heavily involved in community work in every shop. Kishor's staff go the extra mile to help out customers by introducing deliveries for the elderly during the treacherous winter months, organising Community Boards outside stores to allow customers to advertise events and fund raising projects and holding a Christmas lunch for older customers.
Kishor and his staff support many teams and clubs, including Toddington Rovers Youth Football team and Bury Judo Club. They also get involved with events in the area for both consumers and retailers, hosting a Going Local event with ACS for local retailers, organising a business breakfast meeting to encourage others to get involved with the community, sponsoring the Pentecostal Church Fun Day, Hillcrest School Christmas Craft Fayre and many more.
As well as being heavily involved on a local level, Houghton Trading also supports national initiatives like the Nisa "Making a Difference Locally" charity and the FWDs "My Shop is Your Shop" campaign, and Kishor is a trustee on the board of Sweet Charity - the organisation which supports past and present employees of the confectionary industry.
For more information on Houghton Trading, check out the Nisa Local website here
Kishor also writes a blog for the ACS website. Read his latest thoughts on the industry here.
Paul Fisher, Fisher's of Gerrards Cross - Nisa (Gerrards Cross)
Paul's Gerrards Cross store has been at the centre of the headlines over recent months due to the store's very close proximity to a Tesco. This however, has encouraged Paul and his staff to raise their game and make the most of their unique ability to engage with customers. This year, Paul's store has raised money for a number of charitable causes, including St Mary's School, the Chiltern Open Air Museum and the local Community Association.
The store has established great links with other businesses in the area which allow members of local Sunday schools, sports and health clubs to receive a discount on their goods. In October this year, the store organised a Food and Drink festival which over 1,000 people attended. The store also takes extra steps to support customers in need, putting out additional home deliveries for the elderly in the winter months and making the area around the store safe when others were leaving ice and snow to settle.
In the near future, Paul plans to take on an apprentice based in the local area and has high hopes to introduce more soon. The store is also at the forefront of using social media like Twitter and Facebook to generate buzz for Gerrards Cross fundraisers and events.
For more information on Fisher's of Gerrards Cross, check out their website here.