Surrey retailer wins community hero award from local MP

A Surrey retailer has been recognised for his support to the local community during the pandemic with an award from local MP Jeremy Hunt.

Minesh Patel and his wife Jay have picked up a South West Surrey Heroes Award under the Community Heroes Scheme launched by Hunt to “acknowledge and shine a spotlight on those people going above and beyond to help others” during the pandemic.

The couple have owned and run the store – known locally as Bourne Stores – in Lower Bourne, Surrey, for the past 20 years. During the first lockdown they worked round the clock to ensure their community had access to essential items. Sourcing milk, eggs and bread from local farmers, they then delivered free of charge to elderly and vulnerable shoppers in their local community.

The store sold a record 13,000 litres of milk, 8,000 boxes of eggs and over 5,000 loaves of bread between March and June 2020.

“I’m absolutely delighted that we, along with our staff, have been recognised by our local community in this way,” said Minesh. “Whilst my wife was out doing daily deliveries, my team and I were stacking shelves, serving on the tills, baking in the bakery and manning the post office. It truly was a team effort.

“Lower Bourne is a close-knit community and one that has supported us for 20 years, so it was a pleasure to be able to help them, when they needed it most.”

Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, personally thanked Minesh and said: “Without individuals, groups and organisations like you, life would have been even more difficult for many people in the community.  On behalf of all those you have helped and supported during this difficult time, which of course regrettably continues, please accept my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation.”