Benedict Selvaratnam, owner of Freshfields Market in Croydon, Surrey, has won the Spirit of the Community Award at the Asian Trader Awards 2026, recognising work that reaches well beyond the shop’s day-to-day retail offer. The awards were held in London on Wednesday (Nov 4).
Freshfields Market is a family-run independent store on Church Street, serving a diverse community with everyday groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, world foods and specialist lines. Its range also includes craft beers and wines from a number of international regions, reflecting the varied tastes of local shoppers.
Selvaratnam’s community work is closely connected to his wider role in Croydon. He is co-founder of Croydon Smile Hub and founder of the Croydon Business Association, initiatives through which he has worked with residents, businesses, charities, educators and public services.
Programmes delivered through Croydon Smile Hub have covered digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, entrepreneurship, community safety, networking and local engagement. The aim is to help residents build skills, access support and create stronger connections across the borough.
At store level, Freshfields works with Olio to redistribute surplus food to households, helping reduce waste while supporting people who need assistance. The nomination also records approximately £10,000 in contributions to Serendib Children’s Home.
For Selvaratnam, community support is part of the business’s everyday responsibilities rather than an occasional activity. The award recognises the way Freshfields Market has used its position as a local retailer to connect people, support charitable causes and create opportunities across Croydon.
Asian Trader Awards 2026, held at Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London, recognised the achievements of independent retailers and businesses from across the country, shining a spotlight on the innovation, enterprise, resilience and community spirit that continue to define the sector.
The evening was hosted by actor Nitin Chandra Ganatra. Minister for Artificial Intelligence The Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP graced the occasion as the chief guest.
The Asian Trader Awards 2026 winners
- Responsible Retailer of the Year: Andrew Board, Premier Core Convenience Store, Durham
- Convenience Chain of the Year: Mohan Periyasamy Palani, Samy Group Ltd, Middlesbrough
- Tobacco & Next Gen Champion of the Year: Rajalingam Mathusan, Premier Childers Street, London
- Bakery Retailer of the Year: Roli Ranger, Budgens Ascot, Berkshire
- Next Gen Award: Hamza Hussain, Abu Bakr Supermarkets, Batley, West Yorkshire
- Best Retail Couple of the Year: Bisi and Mayo Osundeko, Go Local Junction Lane, St Helens, Merseyside
- World Food Retailer of the Year: Mohammed Altaf, PAK Foods, Stoke-on-Trent
- Independent Retailer of the Year: George Phillips, TJ’s Late Shop, Londis, Hemel Hempstead
- Best Home Delivery Retailer of the Year: Mandeep Singh, Premier Singh’s Team, Sheffield
- Food to Go Retailer of the Year: Harry and Zoe Archer, Shop & Go, Burstwick Service Station, Hull
- Spirit of the Community Award: Benedict Selvaratnam, Freshfields Market, Croydon, Surrey
- Symbol Retailer of the Year: Kalpesh (Pete) Patel, Zola Ltd t/a Costcutter, Purfleet, Essex
- Off Licence of the Year: Kathleen Campbell and Richard Walker, Campbell’s of Leyburn, North Yorkshire
- Impulse Retailer of the Year: Jas and Michelle Chatha, Go Local Extra, Chathas Retail, Bradford
- Charity Hero of the Year: Jawad and Asiyah Javed, A&J Alloa Spar, Stenhousemuir, Falkirk
- Best Merchandising Store of the Year: Raheem Ali Razaq, Ali’s Nisa Royston, Glasgow
- Businesswoman of the Year: Nathalie Fullerton, Go Local Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
- Asian Trader of the Year: Arul Palaniappan, Premier New Elgin Service Station, Scotland