Allwyn’s Local Retail Champions crowned at awards ceremony in London

Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, proudly celebrated its 2025 Local Retail Champions at an awards evening at the Hilton London Syon Park Hotel last night (20 November).

Barry’s Local & Post Office in Chatham, Kent, and Halai General Store (Best One) in Bermondsey, London, were named this year’s National Winners, each receiving the £15k top prize in recognition of exceptional work in their communities.

Halai General Store, a Regional Winner last year, went one better this time around, claiming the top honour. The family-owned store, which Vimal Pandya helps run, won the National Award after being nominated by customers for founding the Rotherhithe Community Kitchen and Food Bank, which now helps over 300 families weekly and regularly donates food to local nurseries, schools, churches, and community groups.

The store also used the £5k prize from last year’s regional award to expand the kitchen and food bank.

Barry’s Local & Post Office, run by Bharat Vara, was selected as a winner for its long-standing support of a local homeless charity, as well as providing hundreds of Christmas presents to Demelza House hospice and selling second-hand books at the front of their shop with all proceeds going to charity.

A further 16 winners were recognised for their outstanding contributions to their local communities, each receiving a £5k prize. They were nominated by customers for a host of different reasons, including holding fundraising events, prioritising store accessibility, providing home deliveries for the elderly, hosting community events and much more.

Brand new awards

This year marked the debut of two Innovation Awards, designed to celebrate retailers who found creative ways to showcase local National Lottery Good Causes in their stores. These went to Amit Patel of Go Local Extra in Salford, Manchester, and Nathalie Fullerton of One Stop in Partick, Glasgow. Each received £2,500 in cash plus up to £2,500 to bring their ideas to life.

Over the coming months, Allwyn will work closely with both retailers to turn their concepts into reality. Nathalie’s idea, the Wall of Dreams, will transform the side of her store into a vibrant community mural, designed by local residents, with each section highlighting a National Lottery-funded project, charity, or initiative. Amit’s concept will centre on a street party celebrating local Good Causes supported by The National Lottery, creating a fun and inclusive event for his community.

Vimal (above left) said: “We’re incredibly proud and humbled to be named a Local Retail Champion for a second year running, and to take home the national prize this time is truly amazing.

“This award means so much to our whole team. National Lottery retailers and local shops like ours are the heart of our communities across the country. I urge everyone to support them whenever they can. Awards like this remind us that kindness, connection, and community spirit still matter most.”

Nathalie added: “Winning this means everything to us. Our store has always been about more than convenience - it’s about people, connection and giving back to the community that supports us every day.

“Bringing our Wall of Dreams idea to life is what excites me most, creating something bold and lasting that celebrates real stories and the incredible impact of National Lottery Good Causes locally. Every National Lottery ticket sold helps make those stories possible, and this award inspires us to keep finding creative ways to show just how much that matters.”