SLR is proud to welcome back its Above & Beyond Awards for 2025.
Launched last year, SLR’s inaugural Above & Beyond Awards were a poignant and powerful celebration of Scotland’s heroic convenience sector employees.
The 2024 line-up of finalists and winners included an inspiring mix of one-of-a-kind individuals, for whom ‘going above and beyond the call of duty’ was inherent.
The awards also acted as the perfect platform on which to showcase the many astonishing acts of selflessness and bravery performed by industry employees – often in the face of challenging environments and situations.
One such lady is Alison Lennon, who claimed 2024’s Astonishing Act Award for helping to save the life of one of her shoppers. Alison, who is the manager of Day Today, Shotts, became concerned for the welfare of one of her regular elderly customers when he didn’t arrive for his daily morning paper. Astute Alison went to his house where she discovered that he had had a serious accident and had been unable to call for help. Alison quickly raised the alarm, calling the emergency services, and the gentleman was saved.
“The Above and Beyond Awards were such a fantastic experience,” Alison says. “I’d never really considered that I was doing anything that special or ‘astonishing’ until I was nominated, so it was really lovely to be told that and to meet so many other inspiring people. Winning an award was the icing on the cake.”
Another of our fantastic winners was Claire Fleming. Claire claimed the Company Owned Store Colleague Award for the outstanding community work that she spearheaded during her time as the manager of Spar Portland Street in Troon.
Since winning her award, Spar Scotland has asked Claire to work her magic at another store within its estate – and she’s now managing Spar Saltcoats.
“Winning my award was such a proud moment for me, but win or lose, it didn’t matter, simply being nominated was enough. It’s all about having someone notice you and say well done. Some people don’t have anyone in their life who says ‘well done’ or ‘I’m proud of you’ to them and that’s what makes the Above & Beyond awards so powerful. That recognition could be a pivotal moment in someone’s life.
“If you have someone in your team who goes out of their way to make a difference, then please nominate them for these awards. Since winning the award I’ve taken on a new role, and I’m using my win to inspire my new team and show them what we can all achieve if we pull together and go that little bit above and beyond.”
Claire and Alison’s stories are certainly inspirational and now, with the launch of The Above & Beyond Awards 2025, we can’t wait to unearth this year’s crop of new nominees and future winners.
If you’ve got a superstar working in your store, then please do as Claire suggests – nominate them and give them a chance to shine.
The awards categories cover all store formats and styles, and the awards are open to all store colleagues – from sales assistants right up to store managers and from new starters to convenience veterans.
Two new categories have also been added to the awards this year.
Our Business Booster Award is designed to recognise and reward colleagues who have materially improved their store’s performance by suggesting or introducing a new concept, product, service, communication method or a change in operational process.
Our new Team Of the Year Award meanwhile, is designed to reward outstanding team efforts and highlight the positive outcomes that can be achieved with a true partnership approach.
This is your chance to provide some much-deserved recognition for those members of your team who help to set your business apart in the local community.
Whether it’s helping to raise in-store standards, turbo-charging community engagement, supporting customers in a time of need or being a superstar colleague who always has time to lend a hand or an ear – we want to hear about them.
We’ve made the awards even simpler to enter this year and all finalists will be invited free of charge to a celebratory lunch at the exclusive Corinthian Club in Glasgow on the 12 March 2025.
Working with our generous sponsors, we will ensure that everyone joining us is treated to a magical day.
So please don’t delay, get your entries in before 15 January and give those hard-working industry colleagues the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.
- Entry deadline: 15 January 2025
- Celebratory Lunch: 12 March, The Corinthian Club, Glasgow
Award Categories
Independent Store Colleague
Sponsored by Mondelez International
Open to all colleagues working in independently owned local retailing stores in Scotland that are unaffiliated or members of any symbol group, fascia or franchise.
Company-Owned Store Colleague
Sponsored by CJ Lang/Spar Scotland
Open to all colleagues working in CJ Lang company-owned stores in Scotland.
Business Booster
Open to all colleagues who have materially improved their store’s performance by suggesting or introducing a new concept, product, service, communication method or a change in operational process.
Team Of The Year
Sponsored by Tennent’s
Open to all in-store teams which have pulled together to make a positive difference to their store’s performance and or to their community.
Up & Coming Star
Sponsored by CCEP
Open to all colleagues aged 25 or under working in any of the store formats detailed above who have shown themselves to be outstanding colleagues with a bright future in the sector ahead of them.
Long Service Award
Sponsored by Cadbury
Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who have worked in the sector, or a single store or chain, for an extended period of time.
Astonishing Act
Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who truly went Above & Beyond to perform an astonishing act that had a massive positive impact on a customer, colleague or the community.
A word from our sponsors…
Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelez International: “Mondelez International is proud to play a part in celebrating some truly exceptional people across independent retail through our sponsorship of the Independent Store Colleague & Long Service categories at the SLR Above & Beyond Awards. As a provider of iconic brands including Cadbury, Oreo, Maynards Bassetts, belVita and Dairylea to name just a few, independent retailers play a crucial role in bringing our snacks to consumers across the nation. We’re delighted to support and reward those who go above and beyond for their shoppers, their staff and their communities every day. Best of luck to all the entrants!”
Frank McCarron, Company Owned Store Director, CJ Lang/Spar Scotland: “Our staff are our biggest asset, clearly identified by our customers. We know convenience store staff are very much unsung heroes at times and we’re delighted to be involved in industry awards that recognise their efforts.”
Amy Burgess, Senior External Communications Manager, CCEP: “Scottish convenience stores are a seven-days-a-week collective effort, with many unsung colleagues working quietly behind the scenes bringing new ideas to stores, delivering unwavering commitment to business continuity or going above and beyond for their team or local community. And that’s why we’re back for a second year, together with SLR, to recognise and celebrate the efforts and achievements of the behind-the-scenes heroes and rising stars in Scottish convenience – so we can share their stories, say thank you and inspire others to follow suit.”
Nicole Halsman, National Account Manager RTM and Convenience, Tennent’s: “Tennent’s are excited to sponsor the Team award and celebrate the positive differences retailers are making across Scotland. Without a great team, success never comes easy!”
