Latest news with #LocalRetailChampions
Cambrian News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Cambrian News
Mid Wales shopkeeper hosts picnic to mark VE Day
Allwyn's Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales, Alison Acquaye-Acford, said: 'We're delighted to see that Trudy is continuing her excellent work in the community by spending her Local Retail Champions prize money on community initiatives. We know she really prioritises her community and this is clear to see from all her work. And not only does she support her community in her own generous and kind-hearted ways, but simply by selling National Lottery tickets, she's helping to raise around £30 million every week for Good Causes which goes to projects in Trudy's community and communities across the UK.'
Powys County Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Llanidloes shopkeeper celebrates VE Day with special picnic
A Llanidloes shopkeeper has celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a community picnic. Trudy Davies, owner of Woosnam and Davies News, organised the event with the help of her £5,000 prize from National Lottery operator, Allwyn's, Local Retail Champions awards. The picnic, held on May 5 at the Millennium Community Garden, was co-organised with Joy Smout of the Royal British Legion. It welcomed members of the Royal British Legion Women's Section, veterans, and the Llanidloes community, and featured bunting, music, and decorations. Ms Davies also commissioned VE Day 80th Anniversary pin brooches using the Allwyn prize money, which are being sold to raise money for local veterans and Royal British Legion Industries' Tommy's Club. Even before the VE Day activities, Ms Davies had been busy putting her prize money to good use for the local community by funding a new wooden friendship bench in the town. Situated between her shop and the Crown and Anchor pub, the bench is intended to bring people from the area together and commemorate the legacy of former publican Ruby Holmes. Ms Davies said: "I have been the secretary of the community garden for 26 years now and it's lovely that it's being used for such a great event in the town. "The prize money from Allwyn has been such a big help in putting on this event for the community and making our VE Day 80th Anniversary celebrations extra special, as they should be. "We're supporting great causes along the way and there's been a wonderful atmosphere in our small town because of it." Ms Davies was one of 16 regional winners in Allwyn's 2024 Local Retail Champions awards, which recognised National Lottery retailers who go above and beyond for their communities. Woosnam and Davies News was nominated by its customers for a range of community-focused initiatives, including collecting unwanted items for donation to charities, organising a group of 30 people from the area to knit blankets and hats for the homeless and newborn babies, and supporting producers from the area by selling honey and eggs in the shop. Allwyn's director of commercial partnerships and retail sales, Alison Acquaye-Acford, said: "We're delighted to see that Trudy is continuing her excellent work in the community by spending her Local Retail Champions prize money on community initiatives. "We know she really prioritises her community and this is clear to see from all her work. "And not only does she support her community in her own generous and kind-hearted ways, but simply by selling National Lottery tickets, she's helping to raise around £30 million every week for Good Causes which goes to projects in Trudy's community and communities across the UK."
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow East End retailer uses £25K to fight store crime
Natalie Lightfoot, who runs Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, was crowned one of the National Winners at Allwyn's Local Retail Champions awards in December. She and her husband, Martin, received £5000 in cash and a store makeover worth up to £20,000, awarded for their outstanding service to the local community. READ MORE: David Tennant's new ITV show divides viewers amid 'too complicated' claims Now, Natalie is using that prize money to enhance safety in her store. She's invested in staff communication headsets and is upgrading the CCTV system, which had been in place for more than 15 years. She said: "The headsets have been a godsend. "The store has thick walls, making it difficult to hear each other in different areas of the shop, so the headsets allow us all to communicate and respond to things quickly as a team. " The new CCTV system, due to be fully installed in the coming weeks, will provide clearer images to help identify and report offenders more effectively. She said: "We're also in the process of getting new CCTV installed, which will provide clearer pictures as the current system is quite pixelated and very dated." Londis Solo team (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Popular Southside pub announces closure until 'further notice' Natalie is also exploring AI-powered retail technology as the next phase of her security overhaul. Her commitment to tackling retail crime is well known. Last year, she spoke at the Scottish Parliament, urging MSPs to support independent retailers through funding for security equipment and other preventative measures. Natalie said the makeover would not have been possible without the funding. She said: "We wouldn't have been able to get any of this new equipment without the Local Retail Champions makeover money, not for a long while anyway.' READ MORE: Oasis fans left baffled as 'secret' Ticketmaster presale goes live Alison Acquaye-Acford, Allwyn's Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales, praised Natalie's efforts. She said: 'We know Natalie is passionate about store security for retailers and has spoken publicly about the subject in the past, so we're really happy we've been able to support her own store's security needs with the store makeover. "And she and her husband are absolutely deserving of the prize – they are a shining example of retailers who go above and beyond for their local community, which is precisely why they were crowned one of our two National Winners at Allwyn's 2024 Local Retail Champions awards." Natalie and Martin were nominated by their customers in recognition of their work beyond the shop counter, including charity fundraisers, litter-picking initiatives, and a home delivery service for vulnerable residents. The Local Retail Champions programme is part of Allwyn's £1 million annual Social Value Fund, aimed at supporting National Lottery operations in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Details for the next round of the programme are expected in the coming months.
