A day at The Ritz – Shop Local Shop Little Heroes Awards 2021
At the Shop Local Shop Little Heroes luncheon, NFRN members, sponsors, and special guests were given the chance to network over glasses of champagne and then were all treated to a wonderful three-course meal in the Marie Antionette suite.
The sunshine and blue skies reflected the mood of the afternoon as everyone in attendance had an amazing time celebrating the hard work of independent retailers.
We launched the Heroes awards to recognise the outstanding work done by our members to help and support their local communities.
This followed the highly successful Shop Local, Shop Little campaign, which reminded customers that local independent stores could still provide for all their needs while coronavirus restrictions were in place.
A warm welcome from staff at the NFRN
NFRN National President Stuart Reddish said:
“Our members’ stores really are hubs in their communities and already do a lot of great work to support their local charities and good causes, but during the pandemic so many of them stepped their efforts up to another level.
“As well as working long hours and keeping their doors open for essential supplies, the moving stories we heard ranged from setting up free delivery services for the elderly and vulnerable and raising money for people in hardship, to giving away free hot meals and donating to local food banks and charities.
“All of this made it extremely difficult to whittle the entries down to 12 finalists and the eventual three final winners but, to be honest, they are all winners and I couldn’t be prouder of them.
“I would also like to thank Mondelez, Boost and Booker for their generosity in sponsoring the awards and making what was a fantastic and fitting celebration possible.”
Joanna Cherry, MP for Edinburgh South West, attended the celebration event and was full of praise for all the finalists.
She said: “It was an honour to be part of this celebration in such wonderful surroundings and to hear the inspiring stories of all the finalists.
“I thank the NFRN for inviting me and thank all convenience store owners for the outstanding work they have done to support their communities throughout the pandemic.”
Our winners!
Three Federation members have been named as Shop Local, Shop Little Heroes for going above and beyond for their local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
Terry Caton, from Chesterfield; Jawad Javed, from Falkirk; and Dennis Williams, from Edinburgh, were presented with framed certificates and hundreds of pounds worth of free stock from the sponsors – Mondelez, Boost and Booker – and the NFRN, at the celebration lunch held in the opulent and stunning surroundings of the Ritz Hotel in London on September 21.
The overall winner of the Shop Local Shop Little Heroes Awards will be announced at the NFRN Awards that take place on January 25, 2022, at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Winner – Terry & Toni Caton
Londis Store and Post Office, Chesterfield
Winner – Dennis Williams
Broadway Convenience Store, Edinburgh
Winner – Jawad & Asiyah Javed
Day Today, Stenhousemuir, Scotland
A Day at The Ritz in Pictures
A fantastic day captured in pictures! Ensure to click ‘next’ to view the whole gallery.
View the complete image gallery over on our Facebook page. Make sure to give us a follow.
The champagne was in full flow at the Ritz!
Finalist Trudy Davies
National President Stuart Reddish with Deputy Vice President Jason Birks and Nigel Railton, the Chief Executive Officer of Camelot
Husband and wife finalists Julie and Joey from Jules Convenience Store in Telford, Shropshire
NFRN National President Stuart Reddish welcoming guests to the drink’s reception, in the Queen Elizabeth’s Room
Vice President Muntazir Dipoti
Finalists Sarah Davies and Julie Kaur
Joanna Cherry QC MP arriving to celebrate the work of our retailers
Head of News and Connect at NFRN Brian Murphy with finalists Trudy and Sarah Davies
Boost representatives Chelsea Bates and Kim Jacks meet the finalists
Finalist Asiyah Javed, owner of Day Today in Stenhousemuir
Deputy Vice President Jason Birks
Vice President Muntazir Dipoti
Julie Kaur, Joey Singh, and Chief Executive Officer of Smiths News Jon Bunting
Jawad Javeed from Day Today, Stenhousemuir, chats with guests
The glamorous Marie Antoinette Room where awards were presented, and lunch was eaten!
National President Stuart Reddish and winners Terry and Toni Caton of Londis Store and Post Office in Chesterfield
Stuart Reddish and Sales Director of Booker Martyn Parkinson present award to winner Dennis Williams of Broadway Premier, Edinburgh
Stuart Reddish marks the start of the luncheon with a speech – congratulating the finalists for their terrific efforts and thanking the suppliers for the immense support
National President Stuart Reddish presents award to Trudy Davies alongside Vice President Muntazir Dipoti
National President Stuart Reddish presents award to Julie and Joey Singh alongside Vice President Muntazir Dipoti
Finalist Raj Patel accepts his Shop Local Shop Little Hero Awards certificate
MP Joanna Cherry congratulates the winners
National President Stuart Reddish awards winners and husband-and-wife duo Jawad and Asiyah Javed
Dennis Williams, Joanna Cherry and National President Stuart Reddish
Watch the full event footage and individual interviews from the awards luncheon over on our YouTube channel!
There is a spectacular video covering the day at the Ritz as well as interviews from our sponsors, key partners and some of the winners.
Make sure to subscribe for updates on all of our podcasts and broadcasts.
A big thank you for the support from our sponsors!
We would like to take the time to thank our partners who sponsored this event for their generosity and making what was a fantastic day possible.
Thank you to Mondelez, Boost Drinks and Booker Wholesale!
Mondelez
Booker Wholesale
Boost
Looking to enter our 2022 awards?
