IT’S OUR NEWSANGEL £5K WINNER
After a nationwide search, we are proud to announce the recipient of our top award for small shopkeepers whose compassion and hard work kept Britain running in lockdown
AFTER hearing of the unstinting dedication and hard work by local shopkeepers during three national lockdowns, the Express launched a competition to find the nation’s Newsangels – the newsagents who went above and beyond for their communities.
We had an amazing response from customers who told heart-warming stories of hidden heroes who worked day and night to distribute food, medicine and essentials to the elderly and vulnerable in their area. Shop owners from small post offices to minimarts nationwide were a lifeline for those cut off from the world by the pandemic.
In association with The National Lottery, last week we celebrated our regional runners-up – who each won £1,000. Today we are proud to announce that Prakash Patel is crowned the Daily Express Newsangel.
Nothing has been too much trouble for Prakash – or Pat to his army of loyal customers, who say he fully deserves the £5,000 prize money.
Pat, 62, who runs Newtown Post Office and convenience store in the Swinton area of Manchester, was overwhelmed when the Express told him that he had won.
“Winning has come as such a lovely surprise for me and my staff,” says Pat. “Right from the start of the pandemic we wanted to make sure our older and vulnerable customers were OK and were getting everything they needed. We got up at 4am to get in extra supplies and set up deliveries, and some of them are still going, which is great.”
Pat says he and his partner Purnima Patel could not have managed without the support of their staff Helen Jackson, Susan Wolstencroft, Lisa Schofield and Nilesh Tailor and five newspaper delivery workers.
“I started here in 1987 and over the last 33 years or so I’ve got to know so many people, so you know the sort of items they need,” says Pat.
NOMINATOR Sharon Lucas, 64, said: “I can honestly say they’ve got me and my disabled granddaughter through the pandemic and have been absolute gems.”
Shannon, 24, has Down’s syndrome and Sharon has crippling arthritis, which makes it painful to lift anything heavy.
“In the lockdown we couldn’t cross the door as Shannon was in the highest risk category, so we were reliant on people helping us,” says Sharon.
“Pat called and offered to do whatever he could to help and he was as good as his word. He collected prescriptions, paid my bills and withdrew money for me and he’s even taken my dogs for a walk.
“He’s always a gentleman and happy to help. He makes our lives so much easier.”
In her nomination Sharon wrote: “Pat is truly an angel.” Another nominator, 101-year-old Janet Taylor, wrote this to the Express: “Pat was always well stocked, kept his prices low all through the pandemic and never failed to deliver my Daily Express, which has been a lifeline to me whilst in isolation.
“He insisted that if I needed anything he
was only a phone call away. I think he has served the community extremely well and is always pleasant and obliging.”
On being told Pat and Purnima had won, Mrs Taylor said: “I’m delighted they’ve won it, they deserve it.”
And Pat paid tribute to his loyal customer: “Mrs Taylor is my oldest customer and such a nice lady to help.We’ve been so lucky with all our customers over the years.”
The couple’s shop is situated in what was a bustling area, but in recent years many businesses have closed.
Pat and Purnima quickly realised that with fewer banks locally, people needed a wide range of financial services.
“A lot of people use us to withdraw money and for other services, which is convenient for them and good for us,” says Pat. “Times have changed but people haven’t changed that much. It’s a case of working out what they need and adapting.
“There’s a business near here which makes pies. They are really good, so we sell them as well and they are popular. We are always looking for ways to improve our service and meet the demands of customers.”
And in good times and bad, they never fail to deliver.