NOMINATE YOUR SUPERHERO SHOPKEEPERS
THE PANDEMIC HAS REMINDED PEOPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL SHOPS
HE has run the Bay View Stores and Post Office for some 20 years, but it has been over the past 16 months that Gwyn Price has become something of a minor celebrity in the area. Throughout the pandemic, along with his staff, Gwyn has supported the 700 residents of Solva, Pembrokeshire, with bespoke care packages as well as newspaper and grocery deliveries.
With his friend Sam Ellison, they created cwtch (cuddle) boxes.
The boxes, containing food and treats, were put together by a team of helpers, including Gwyn’s brother, and were given to hardworking NHS staff, struggling single mums and anyone else who was nominated by the local community.
“We delivered 20 to 30 boxes a week, and tailored them to who they were for,” says Gwyn. “Single mums who found it hard to feed their kids would get things like pasta and sauce, while NHS workers would get a plant and some chocolate. It’s a small community so you quickly get to hear who needs a little boost.”
Community
The local community was quick to get involved, donating anything from money to handmade soap or even unused food from Government care packages so it could be distributed to those in need.
“We had a little side room set up where we kept the donations,” says Gwyn. “Then we would pack them up and deliver them.”
Gwyn kept his store open throughout the pandemic, although his 70-year-old mum was no longer able to serve and chat to the customers as she had previously. He made sure to keep his staff safe by following all the protocols, while doing his best to serve his customers.
“It’s quite an elderly community in Solva so we started off by delivering papers at the beginning of the pandemic, and then very quickly moved on to delivering shopping and the cwtch boxes,” says Gwyn.
“We’ve had a steady stream of customers buying National Lottery tickets and scratchcards too.” The Bay View Stores and Post Office is one of some 44,000 retailers across the UK that sell National Lottery products.
While Gwyn is reluctant to blow his own trumpet, the community is in no doubt that his hard work and commitment helped them pull through the past year.
“A lot of customers have been very appreciative,” says Gwyn. “A few admitted they hadn’t used our store that much and didn’t realise how much we stock. I think the pandemic has reminded people of the importance of local shops.”