The Co-operative Group was crowned convenience store of the year by C-Store’s sister publication Off Licence News at its fifth Drinks Retailing Awards in London.

The society was praised for “imaginative treatment” of its drinks sections, its ethical products, tailored ranges for stores’ locality and point of difference to multiple competitors.

Runners-up were independents the Two Roses store in Marple, Cheshire, and Biddles in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Parfetts was named drinks wholesaler of the year after recording an average growth of 3% in its licensed section.