Londis team celebrating award
Londis Caterways and Post Office in Horsham are celebrating after being named the Best Independent Store at the Retail Industry Awards.
The team received the prize at an online ceremony hosted by TV star Alex Brooker, best known for co-hosting The Last Leg and The Jump.
Amish Shingadia said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received such high recognition.
“We have worked hard to ensure our community has been safe and looked after.
“The team are key workers, and we are proud of their selflessness. We would also like to thank our volunteers for their dedication, as well as our neighbours The Coot pub and At Home Estate and Lettings Agency.
“A final thank you would go to the love of our customers over the difficult year, we have received thank you letters, hand-drawn pictures, cakes and hundreds of thank yous – all of them have really given us motivation.
“This award is an accolade to them all.”
Normally the awards would be held in London during a big gala, he added. “This is the retail industry equivalent of the Oscars and a celebrated occasion in the annual calendar.”
The win followed a three month rigorous assessment of the store’s operation, ethos and standards with a final evaluation by a panel of 16 judges from Cadbury, The Post Office, Bookers and the Co-op.
The store’s efforts for the community, particularly during the pandemic when they launched a free same day delivery service for groceries, have also been recognised by local group the Coots Farm Community and MP Jeremy Quin, with a certificate and letter being presented.
In his letter, Jeremy Quin said: “I know, from constituents, that you and your team played a vital role in helping the vulnerable and those shielding during lockdown.”