Time is running out to enter your colleagues into the Above & Beyond Awards 2025.
Heroes don’t always wear capes, and that’s certainly true in the convenience industry where practical fleeces and footwear tend to be the costume of choice.
However, as last year’s inaugural Above & Beyond Awards so clearly demonstrated, under those commonplace clothes, lie hearts of gold and cores of steel.
Often hiding in plain sight, our industry is home to an awesome cache of true superheroes – loyal employees who go above and beyond, day in and day out, to protect and serve their local stores and communities.
And as the Above & Beyond Awards 2024 also showed, being a superhero doesn’t always mean performing lifesaving acts – although we did have one of those in one of our winners, Alison Lennon!
Examples of heroic actions also include supporting local initiatives and shoppers, be that through superstar fundraising, the introduction of meaningful new support and services, or even just taking the time to listen and talk to those in need – making their stores a safe and welcoming place for all.
Employees who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to introduce new in-store systems, processes or communication strategies are equally heroic – and last year’s crop of finalists and winners also displayed a great many of these star qualities.
If you have any such superheroes in your team, please nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards 2025 and give them the recognition that they so thoroughly deserve. The deadline for entries is fast approaching, so don’t miss out!
To help inspire you, here’s a look back at the amazing winners of last year’s awards…
Johnny Stephen, Premier Whitehills, Banff
Eighty-year-old Johnny was the winner of our inaugural Long Service Award.
Johnny’s efforts to deliver essential goods and services to local people, remote addresses and the many fishing boats along the Banffshire coast are nothing short of heroic.
From paperboy to delivery driver, general handyman and so much more, Johnny stops at nothing to ensure that the needs of local shoppers are met – and he does it six days a week, come rain or shine!
Store owner Billy Gatt describes Johnny as an “irreplaceable part” of his team and says that he’s never missed a shift or been late to work, even during the challenging pandemic era.
Sophie Williams, Premier Broadway Convenience Store, Edinburgh
Third-generation retailer Sophie was the winner of our Up-and-Coming Star Award and it’s not hard to see why.
After all, how many other twentysomethings can say they’ve addressed not just the SGF annual conference but parliament too?
Sophie’s innovative approach to social media management is not only attracting widespread industry acclaim, it’s also helping Premier Broadway Convenience Store to engage shoppers on a whole new level. Thanks to Sophie’s efforts, the store now has a following of more than 3,500 on Facebook and 1,847 on TikTok.
Looking ahead, Sophie says that her “ultimate goal” is to become the UK’s first retail influencer and to engage and inspire a future generation of retailers and especially women.
Sophie’s caring nature and effervescent personality also make her a favourite with the store’s local shoppers – especially its many elderly customers.
Alison Lennon, Day-Today, Shotts
Store manager Alison was worthy recipient of our Astonishing Act Award.
Having worked in her store for more than 20 years, Alison’s unrivalled knowledge of her local shoppers proved quite literally lifesaving when one of the store’s elderly regulars didn’t turn up for his daily paper one morning.
She 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.
Claire Fleming, Spar Portland Street, Troon
Store manager Claire’s unbridled compassion and kindness for others saw her crowned with the Company Owned Store Colleague award.
In the time that she managed it, Claire transformed Spar Portland Street in Troon into a thriving community hub and built close bonds with a great many of her local shoppers. How many store managers do you know who cook hot and healthy meals for elderly shoppers? Or who do their washing?
Claire also turned Spar Portland Street into a “dementia friendly” space, working closely with several local care homes and dementia charities to make the store a safer environment for shoppers with dementia.
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.
Sophie Skelton, Aramark Leuchars
Located behind the wire on a military base, Sophie Skelton’s store is far from ordinary – as is Sophie – who was our inaugural Independent Store Colleague winner.
Sophie has worked in the store for more than five years now and has made a phenomenal difference to its customers, offer and performance in that time.
As a military wife, Sophie understands the unique challenges and demands of life on a military base – a fact which has helped her to forge genuine and meaningful relationships with many of the store’s customers.
Sophie also plays a significant role in the store’s successful performance, helping to boost sales with her keen focus on NPD and by gathering customer feedback and adapting the range accordingly. She’s also an absolute champion at pulling together engaging in-store events.
