Cadbury has revealed the winners of its Community Game Changers retailer competition, which recognises the incredible work that independent retailers do in their local communities.
The retailers awarded the grand prize of up to £1,000 were Talha Bhattay of Mibsons Service Station, West Bromwich, Mike Sohal of Dallam Stores, Warrington, Koshia Jose of Lifestyle, Andover and Debbie Gale of Siop y Pentre Cyf, Llanfair Talhaiarn.
To enter, retailers shared up to 300 words on snackdisplay.co.uk to describe how they’ve been true Community Game Changers. The winning retailers impressed the judges with their steadfast commitment to their communities.
Examples of submissions included a community tutoring program for underprivileged students, a workshop where adults with autism gain life skills, a free kids’ lunch bag initiative for local children, offering translation help, support and guidance on local services to new arrivals to the area, community fundraising efforts such as tractor pulls and litter picking and life-saving welfare checks on elderly and vulnerable customers.
Susan Nash, trade communications manager at supplier Mondelēz International, said: “We wanted to give retailers the chance to be celebrated for their game-changing initiatives.
“Our competition honours independent retailers by recognising their incredible efforts to be leaders in their local communities. These community heroes have provided unwavering community support, and we are extremely proud to reward them for their efforts.”
Debbie Gale said: “It’s lovely to be recognised for the work we do in the community, but it’s just what we do as part of our day-to-day activity. We check in on customers if they haven’t been to the store when expected. When there was a water issue in the village, we went out of the area to get water in and distributed it to villagers.
“We’ve supported local community projects, for example when there was a vegetation issue locals clubbed together to form a working party and we supported by providing refreshment for everyone working on the project.”
Talha Bhattay added: “It really is lovely to be recognised. Community is what we do, we consider ourselves part of the community and we really try to look after our locals, particularly the older community. We deliver to them, check on them and are happy to just have a chat. Supporting the community also means we are supported too, it’s really vital to be part of the community, it makes our business what it is.”
Koshia Jose said: “We really enjoy helping our local community - a little help goes a long way in helping to develop great relationships with our customers, we have known many of our customers for many years. I even share my telephone number with customers so if they need help, they can call me. In turn customers have helped and supported the store, I’ve had amazing support from them. A local even came to help me when the store alarm went off at two in the morning!”
Mike Sohal concluded: “Community isn’t just a word to us – it’s how we live, every single day. Our store team is deeply involved in the community, not just financially, but physically too. Through our amazing MADL charity, we’ve donated over £50,000 to local causes.
“In January, when Warrington flooded, we went door to door checking on elderly residents, offering hot food and drinks. One man – a double amputee – had been stuck in his wheelchair for six hours. We helped him and made sure he had a hot meal by his side.
“We support many brilliant local projects, including a workshop where adults with autism gain life skills through bike repairs, woodwork, and gardening. Every June, we take local families facing hardship on a trip to Blackpool. We also support families with school uniform vouchers. In winter, we cook and feed homeless people and support Warrington Youth Zone’s Santa Sleigh. We’ve also opened our doors to local councillors to hold surgeries in-store.”
In addition to the grand prize winners, 10 retailer runners up also won £500 for their store, whilst 15 entrants took home a Cadbury hamper to enjoy or use as a community fundraiser.
To see the rest of the winners and gain inspiration from their entries on how to be a community game changer, visit snackdisplay.co.uk.
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