Premier retailer Tahir Ali, aka Nico, has been working tirelessly to help others this festive season.

MAIN PIC_Nico and Santa with Stella

Nico, who owns Top Shop Convenience on the Scotch Estate in South Shields, and his brother Taz have yet again taken community retailing to the next level, delivering donations by the sackful to those in need.

MAIN PIC_Santa with kids in store

Since the beginning of lockdown, the brothers have made it their mission to help others, delivering van loads of food and drink to hospitals, charities and the vulnerable. And in the season of goodwill, they have upped the ante, bringing some much needed festive fun to the local area.

 

“I have managed to give out 120 presents to the vulnerable people in my estate,” says Nico. “I wanted to bring smiles to the community and build the spirit so I organised a Santa to come with me.”

He also arranged for Santa to meet local children and give out gifts in store (socially distanced of course). “This Christmas will be very different, so me and Taz decided to do a different event and organised Santa to visit my shop to give out 250 presents to all the children who have been very anxious not knowing what is going to happen,” he says. “This event brought many smiles to many young people and families.”

Nico Supports National Collection week 9-16th November 2020

Local takeaway Rice N Spice wanted to help out and contacted Nico, who agreed to give out over 200 curries over the festive period.

He has also supported five local football teams, with donations and goodybags.

What’s more, the store made up over 100 Christmas hampers to deliver to sheltered accommodation and homes in South Tyneside.

And as if that wasn’t enough, he also put together over 100 Christmas shoeboxes to send off to Eastern countries.