award for community work

Source: ACS

Dean Holborn has been awarded the Raj Aggarwal Trophy

Surrey-based Dean Holborn has been announced as the winner of the Raj Aggarwal Trophy, which celebrates exceptional community retailing, at a parliamentary reception organised by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

Now in its second year, the award was created to honour the memory of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal and was presented by Minister for Industry Jackie Doyle-Price MP.

Dean’s annual bonfire event, which features real beer on tap, fireworks and a huge bonfire, is famous throughout Redhill where he owns two Holborn’s stores. The event has grown massively over the years, with the last one pulling in the biggest crowd ever (over 2,000 people) and raising a colossal £18,000 for local community groups. 

The store is also gearing up to hold a Halloween Trick or Treat evening outside the store organised by Dean’s wife Charlotte.

Prior to the awards ceremony, Dean and fellow finalist Bobby Singh, shared their advice on running community events at the ACS’ Heart of The Community Conference held in Westminster.

Dean is keen for other retailers to embrace big community events. “Lots of people do different events in-store,” Dean told attendees at the ACS Heart of The Community Conference, which took place ahead of the awards ceremony. “A mulled wine event is the easiest one,” he suggested. “Just start small and move on and keep it going.”

Bobby is also planning a big event for Halloween and was the talk of the town last Christmas when he hosted a huge celebration at his BB Nevison store in Pontefract. “From the start we get our colleagues looking at the vision, brainstorming, then planning, and execution,” he explained. “When you come in with that passion and enthusiasm it rubs off on your colleagues and community.”

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Dean is a shining example of what it means to be a community retailer and this is demonstrated through his commitment to his customers and to making a positive difference in the area where he trades. He takes an active role in his village, organising fundraising events to support community groups, sports teams and the local school. Over the past 14 years, Dean has raised in excess of £100,000 for local causes and we are pleased to be able to celebrate and recognise Dean’s achievements with this award.

“The competition was extremely close and we would also like to congratulate this year’s finalist, Bobby Singh who has also shown unwavering commitment to his local community.”

The entries were judged by: Sunita Aggarwal, Raj’s wife and owner of Spar Wigston; Jonathan James, managing director of James Convenience Retail; and James Lowman. 

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