Kathleen Campbell and Richard Walker of Campbells of Leyburn in North Yorkshire have been named Off Licence of the Year at the Asian Trader Awards 2026, recognising the specialist drinks offer at one of the Yorkshire Dales’ best-known independent supermarkets. The awards were held in London on Wednesday (Nov 4).
A fifth-generation family business, Campbells has traded since 1868 and describes itself as the supermarket at the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The 13,000sq ft store serves Leyburn and a much wider rural catchment, attracting local residents, visitors and food lovers from across the area.
Its drinks proposition is a major part of the destination offer. An impressive upstairs wine and spirits shop sits alongside a traditional butchery and deli, quality fresh produce, fine foods and premium grocery ranges. The business combines its Costcutter membership with the freedom to develop a range shaped around local customers and the food and drink culture of the Dales.
Campbells’ wider offer has helped it become more than an everyday supermarket. The store brings together essential shopping with specialist products and experiences that customers may not readily find elsewhere, while maintaining the service and character associated with a long-established family business.
The award, supported by Molson Coors, recognises the work of Campbell and Walker in developing the store’s drinks range as a distinctive part of its identity and in sustaining a destination retail business across generations.
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