The NFRN Awards celebrated top performing retailer members at its annual ceremony at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Hosted by BBC presenter Naga Munchetty, this year’s NFRN Awards marks the first major event of the the NFRN’s 101st year.

Sandra Tickner, owner of Selection Box in Bridgend, was named Convenience Retailer of the Year in the independent category while Amish Shingadia, of Londis Caterways in Horsham, Sussex, received the title in the symbol category.

Despite having less than 500sq ft of shopfloor space, Tickner’s store plays a big role in her local community, providing different food-to-go offerings throughout the day, new sustainable product alternatives and bespoke help for customers with dementia.

Amish Shingadia’s 1,800sq ft store went from the area’s worst shop to the UK’s best independent shop in less than a year, after it was taken over by Amish and his brother Alpesh.

Despite strong local competition, hot food-to-go, quality meal-for-tonight options and investments in vaping has ensured success in winning over and retaining customers.

Longstanding senior NFRN member Martin Ward of Cowpen Lane News, Billingham, was surprised with the Member of the Year award, with a video of his staff and customers highlighting the work he does for the federation and the community. “It’s been quite emotional, I never expected this and I couldn’t even speak when it was announced, the customers have been great since I’ve been back congratulating us.”

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Community Retailer of the Year went to Adrian Thompson of Filby Post Office in Greater Yarmouth, Norfolk. Bay Bashir of Go Local Belle Vue Convenience Store in Middlesbrough received the award for responsible selling, while Londis Chesham retailer Hitesh Modi was named the best National Lottery retailer.

In the news and magazines categories, Andrew Howell of Lomond News in Balloch was named as the top collectables seller, Jonathan Powell of The Newsagent Direct in Newport received the trophy for Store2Door Agent of the Year and Raj Patel of Newsbox in Loughton, Essex received the NFRN Award for Store2Door Deliverer of the Year.

Newsagent of the Year went to Sean Hudson of West Bolden Post Office in South Tyneside.

In the supplier categories, Cadbury Orange Twirl was named Launch of the Year, Booker was named Supplier of the Year and Red Bull picked up Product of the Year.

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