Top retailers were awarded for their community work at a lunch held for finalists of Convenience Store and Britvic’s community retailing competition
C-Store and Britvic’s Transform Your Patch competition attracted a truly impressive array of entries, with retailers across the UK keen to tell us about their exciting community projects. But judges managed to whittle the impressive list down to four finalists, who were invited to a special lunch at the Hospital Club in London to celebrate all the good work they are doing.
Convenience Store editor David Rees, who hosted the day, said: “Neighbourhood convenience stores have to engage positively and effectively with their local communities, not just because it is a good thing to do, but because it is vital for stores to remain relevant to shoppers’ daily lives.”
Britvic managing director Simon Litherland was also present at the event. “We’re really proud to be with you today,” he told the finalists. “You have transformed communities with what you do.”
FINALIST
Holborn’s in Redhill, Surrey owned by Dean Holborn
Earlier this summer, Dean organised a huge jubilee celebration, which included a parade through the village and culminated in everyone gathering in a marquee for a hog roast and live music. The party was a huge success, but it certainly isn’t the biggest event in Dean’s calendar.
“We’ve been running our bonfire and fireworks night for five years now,” he says. “More than 1,200 people attend and it really brings the community together.”
The store is a key focus, with people coming in to buy tickets, but it’s much more than just a sales outlet. He and his brothers attend specialist fireworks training sessions, and Dean organises all the local community groups in the area to help out with the running of the event. In its first year the event made £2,000, and last year it brought in a whopping £6,200, which was shared between community groups. The judo club was given £1,000 for new mats £1,500 went to the cricket club for nets £800 went towards refurbishing the playground at the local school the cubs and scouts received £1,500 to maintain their hut and the football club received £800 for new kit.
“It’s important to engage with your community to show your customers you care about the area where you trade,” says Dean.
FINALIST
Crianlarich Store, Perthshire owned by Isla and Bryan Craig
Both Isla and Bryan are heavily involved in the community. Bryan is the chair of the village hall, as well as a fire fighter, while Isla has been on the Community Council for a number of years and set up the Crianlarich into Action group in 2009 to help develop the local area.
“One of our key aims has been to deal with an area of derelict land in the centre of the village,” says Isla. “There have been various hurdles to overcome, but we are confident that we will be able to obtain a lease for the land shortly, which we hope to turn into a picnic and recreation area by next spring.”
With the help of local volunteers, the couple have already tidied up the area - strimming, clearing scrub and sorting out overgrown plants. “We had 20 people turn up to help volunteer, which just underlined to us how important this project is to the area,” says Isla. “Even older people who weren’t able to help clear the land helped by making cups of tea for everyone.”
The couple claim that being in a small village means that they rely heavily on local business, so being part of the community is essential. “The community really value and appreciate what we’re doing. They feel it’s their store and that we’re committed to the wider community, and not just the store. People are far more likely to support a shop that is involved with the local area.”
And it’s not just the business that benefits. “I really enjoy working with the community on a personal level,” says Isla. “It gives you an opportunity to meet people on a different level - not just as customers, but as friends.” -
FINALIST
Spar Newbold, Chesterfield managed by Sue Johnson with the support of area manager John Gilhooly
John, Sue, and four additional members of the Spar Newbold team have worked tirelessly to build a sensory garden for nearby Dunston Primary and Nursery School.
The garden has been created on an area of land between a new building set up especially for disabled children, and the original school. “It needed work, but the school was unable to get funding, so we decided to step in,” says Sue.
They went to garden centres to find plants that would provide colour, smell, texture and shape. Six members of staff then spent hours designing the layout, planting new shrubs and tidying the existing flower beds.
“The school absolutely loves it. Children come into the store now and they recognise us as the people who built their garden. And it’s not just the kiddies who enjoy the area - the teachers also make use of it,” beams Sue. “We’re still involved with the school and will be helping with a painting project next.”
The store has already received plenty of positive feedback about the sensory garden. “Lots of people have said how lovely the garden looks. They know that we care and that we’re not just there to sell to them,” says Sue. “There’s always someone who needs help. It’s just a case of asking around. We make it common knowledge that we’re happy to help and not afraid to get our hands dirty.”
Alkesh and Chan Gadher’s Best-one in London’s Isleworth took home the £1,000 prize, while the remaining three finalists were awarded £200 each. “We are absolutely delighted to have won the competition,” says Chan.
WINNER
Best-one Isleworth, London owned by Alkesh and Chan Gadher
The role that Best-one Isleworth plays in the community is a large part of its success, claim Alkesh and Chan. The shop is involved with numerous community groups. It provides training bibs and cones for the local football training school has worked with local community officers to produce a leaflet to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and helped a housing association hold a street party for the Diamond Jubilee.
It also works closely with the local crèche, supplying Play Doh and craft materials every quarter. Says Chan: “We see these mums every day with their kids and we understand the challenges they face with childcare, so being involved with their crèche really means something to them.
“We know that it really needs our help as it’s often left at the bottom of list when it comes to funding.”
Chan claims that the store’s community work is what differentiates it from the multiples. “We would hate to have a business where no one knows anyone. Our customers know our names and the mums often come in for a cup of tea and a chat. If we didn’t give back then there wouldn’t be the loyalty from customers and business would disappear.”
Find out how Chan and Alkesh will be spending their prize money to help their local community in a future issue. -Store and Britvic’s Transform Your Patch competition attracted a truly impressive array of entries, with retailers across the UK keen to tell us about their exciting community projects. But judges managed to whittle the impressive list down to four finalists, who were invited to a special lunch at the Hospital Club in London to celebrate all the good work they are doing.
Convenience Store editor David Rees, who hosted the day, said: “Neighbourhood convenience stores have to engage positively and effectively with their local communities, not just because it is a good thing to do, but because it is vital for stores to remain relevant to shoppers’ daily lives.”
Britvic managing director Simon Litherland was also present at the event. “We’re really proud to be with you today,” he told the finalists. “You have transformed communities with what you do.”
Alkesh and Chan Gadher’s Best-one in London’s Isleworth took home the £1,000 prize, while the remaining three finalists were awarded £200 each.
“We are absolutely delighted to have won the competition,” says Chan.
Transforming communities
Since Britvic partnered with Convenience Store to find retailers making an impact in their communities, the entries have flooded in. Celebrating the Transform Your Patch campaign, which sees Britvic and PepsiCo’s portfolio of brands come together to regenerate sites across the UK, Britvic has been searching for retailers who are leaving a lasting legacy in their community.
Setting the standard
Britvic managing director Simon Litherland comments: “The quality of entries has been fantastic and we’d like to thank everyone for letting us know about the dedicated work they’re doing. It’s great to know that Transform Your Patch is resonating with so many retailers. It is clear that retailers are well versed at supporting community initiatives and we’re pleased that we are in a position to recognise and showcase the good work being done.”
He adds: “It has been incredibly hard to choose just four finalists, however for us these retailers stood out. Their fundraising efforts, dedication to the cause and hard work have meant they have all been able to change their neighbourhoods for the better.
“Britvic and Convenience Store will be giving winners Alkesh and Chan Gadher a helping hand with their project in a future issue of C-Store!
Celebrity transformations
With the sale of each brand involved in the Transform Your Patch campaign representing a real square cm of land that will be transformed, the campaign has helped to drive soft drinks sales, while the help of celebrity backers - Denise Van Outen (playgrounds) Robbie Savage (five-a-side football pitches) Fazer (skateparks) and Emma Willis (communal parks and picnic areas) - has achieved mass consumer awareness.
It’s not too late to get involved. Transform Your Patch will be running until October, so to take part and support the initiative in your store, visit www.transformyourpatch.com/trade.
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