Cadbury has revealed the winners of its Community Game Changers retailer competition, celebrating the role independent convenience stores play as pillars of their local communities.
Four retailers were awarded the top prize of up to £1,000 after sharing, in up to 300 words via snackdisplay.co.uk, how they make a difference beyond the shop floor. The grand prize winners are Talha Bhattay of Mibsons Service Station, West Bromwich; Mike Sohal of Dallam Stores, Warrington; Koshia Jose of Lifestyle, Andover; and Debbie Gale of Siop y Pentre Cyf, Llanfair Talhaiarn.
Entries showcased a wide range of community initiatives, from tutoring programmes for underprivileged students and free kids’ lunch bag schemes, to welfare checks on elderly customers and hands-on workshops helping adults with autism gain life skills through activities such as bike repairs, woodwork and gardening. Retailers also highlighted support for new arrivals through translation services, fundraising activities including litter picks and tractor pulls, and rapid responses during local emergencies.
Susan Nash, trade communications manager at Mondelēz International, said the competition was designed to shine a light on the often-unsung efforts of independent retailers. “Our Cadbury Community Game Changers competition honours independent retailers by recognising their incredible efforts to be leaders in their local communities. These community heroes have provided unwavering support, and we are extremely proud to reward them for their efforts,” she said.
Debbie GalePhoto: Handout
Debbie Gale said the recognition reflected the everyday role her store plays in village life.
“We check in on customers if they have not been to the store when expected, when there was a water issue in the village, we went out of the area to get water in and distributed it to villagers. We’ve supported local community projects, for example when there was a vegetation issue locals clubbed together to form a working party, and we supported by providing refreshment for everyone working on the project,” Gale said.
Part of the prize money will also support The Lily Foundation, a charity the store team has backed after a family bereavement.
“We also support a charity close to our hearts, The Lily Foundation after our great niece Isla passed aged 10 months with Mitochondrial disease. As a team of family and friends we have raised over £16,000 and some of the prize money will contribute to the fund as well as help pay for some new windows,” she added.
Talha BhattayPhoto: Hnadout
Talha Bhattay described community support as central to his business. “Community is what we do, we consider ourselves part of the community and we really try to look after our locals, particularly the older community, we deliver to them, check on them and are happy to just have a chat. Supporting the community also means we are supported too, it’s really vital to be part of the community, it makes our business what it is,” he said.
Koshia Jose highlighted the close relationships built with customers over many years.
Koshia JosePhoto: Handout
“At our store we really enjoy helping our local community- a little help goes a long way in helping to develop great relationships with our customers, we have known many of our customers for many years,” he said.
“I even share my telephone number with customers so if they need help, they can call me. In turn customers have helped and supported the store, I’ve had amazing support from them. A local even came to help me when the store alarm went off at 2:00am in the morning!”
Mike Sohal said his store team is deeply involved in the community, “not just financially, but physically too.”
Mike SohalPhoto: Handout
“Through our amazing MADL charity, we’ve donated over £50,000 to local causes. In January, when Warrington flooded, we went door to door checking on elderly residents, offering hot food and drinks. One man – a double amputee – had been stuck in his wheelchair for 6 hours. We helped him and made sure he had a hot meal by his side,” he explained.
“We support many brilliant local projects, including a workshop where adults with autism gain life skills through bike repairs, woodwork, and gardening. Every June, we take local families facing hardship on a trip to Blackpool. We also support families with school uniform vouchers – something we do every year. In winter, we cook and feed homeless people and support Warrington Youth Zone’s Santa Sleigh. We’ve also opened our doors to local councillors to hold surgeries in-store.”
Alongside the four top winners, 10 runners-up received £500 each for their stores, while a further 15 entrants won Cadbury hampers to enjoy or use for community fundraising. The retailer competition ran alongside Cadbury’s Game Changing Wins consumer campaign, linked to exclusive initiatives with major UK football clubs.