Budgens retailer Guy Warner scored a hat-trick at this year’s Retail Industry Awards, picking up trophies in no less than three categories.
He was named Independent Retailer of the Year in the 1,001sq ft to 2,999sq ft category for his store in Broadway, Worcestershire, with judges praising his passion, professionalism and customer understanding.
Warner also triumphed in the 3,000sq ft and over category for his outlet in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, which the judges felt had achieved “a real intertwining of value, local and quality”.
To round off his success, the three-strong Warner’s Budgens group also won Community Retailer of the Year in the independent category.
The awards, run by Independent Retail News, were presented at a gala dinner for 600 guests at London’s Hurlingham Club last night (October 1).
Creightons of Finaghy, in Belfast, also had a good night. It was named independent Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year, while its manager Andrew Porter won Store Manager of the Year.
Further winners included Premier Singh’s in Sheffield, which was named Independent Retailer of the Year in the under 1,000sq ft category, and Londis retailer Dee Sedani, whose News ‘R’ Us store, in Etwall, Derbyshire, took the title of Independent Newsagent of the Year.
The Nisa Local convenience store in Borth, Ceredigion, was the Most Improved Store, Corks Out in Stockton Heath, Cheshire, independent Off-licence Retailer of the Year, and Jempson’s Superstore in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, independent Forecourt Retailer of the Year.
