Summary
- New Innovation Award category will reward two National Lottery retailers’ ideas for ways of championing Good Causes in their own stores
- Nominations are now open for the 2025 awards
- Winners will be celebrated at special awards event on 20 November
Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, has opened nominations for its 2025 Local Retail Champions awards, once again putting the spotlight on shopkeepers making a difference in their communities.
The awards will recognise two national and 16 regional winners, with nominations open until midnight on 19 October. Retailers must be nominated by their customers, who are asked to explain in up to 150 words how their local store has positively impacted the community.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, which attracted almost 1,000 nominations, Allwyn is introducing new elements for 2025. These include in-store posters to promote the campaign, as well as a new Innovation Award. Open to self-entry by retailers later this month, the category will reward two stores for creative ideas to celebrate National Lottery Good Causes, with winners receiving £2,500 in cash plus up to £2,500 to bring their idea to life.
Prizes for the main awards remain substantial, with two national winners set to receive £15,000 each and 16 regional winners £5,000 each.
Last year’s national champions included Raj and Manish Suchak of Coldean Convenience in Brighton, recognised for initiatives such as supporting food banks, school breakfast clubs and local shelters, and Natalie and Martin Lightfoot of Londis Solo Convenience Store in Glasgow, praised for charity events, litter picks and a home delivery service for vulnerable customers.
“Local Retail Champions is back and we’re excited to once again be celebrating National Lottery retailers making a massive difference in their communities. As we saw from last year’s almost-1,000 store nominations, retailers right around the UK are doing incredible things to support their communities every single day,” Alison Acquaye-Acford, Allwyn’s Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales, said.
“We want to find even more great stories again this year and reward retailers for their dedication and goodwill.”
The campaign, delivered in partnership with Reach plc, is supported by Allwyn’s £1m annual Social Value Fund, set up to invest in communities and high streets across the UK and Isle of Man.
Nominations can be submitted via www.TNLLocalRetailChampions.co.uk.