In a heartwarming recognition of dedication and compassion, Ardingly Parish Council has presented its first-ever Community Award to Ardingly News, a small independent convenience store run by the Patel family in a village and civil parish in West Sussex.
The award was created this year to celebrate the unsung heroes of the village and few embody that spirit more than this close-knit retail family who stepped up when the community needed them most.
Speaking with Asian Trader, Kamlesh (Kim) Patel said, “We are a very small convenience store located in a very small village and have been running it since 2020.
"Me and my family have been in the retail industry for about 35-40 years now. So the background of retail experience has been quite good for us.
“The shop that I'm currently running is a second shop. I have bought it during COVID, which was in 2020. And at that time. As we all knew that we were going through a very difficult phase.
“I tried to keep the shop open as much as possible. I increased my stocks a lot to make reassure people that they have enough stocks to buy locally. Just trying to make their lives easier.”
With the nearest supermarket nearly four miles away, and the shop previously understocked and neglected under the previous owner, Kim’s efforts were a welcome change for the village.
“Earlier, the shop was not in very great condition and previous owners didn't stock a lot of products," he added. "So overall, people here were pleasantly surprised at our efforts and took it as a welcome change, especially at such unprecedented times.”
But it wasn’t just the well-stocked shelves that won the community over but it was also the delivery service offered during lockdowns.
"We also ran delivery service for the elderly people and for those who couldn't come out of the houses. We used to deliver at their convenience, rather than mine. I provided that service almost any day and even at short notice," he said.
The community was bowled over by the store’s customer service, something which is now embedded in the village’s collective memory.
“We were flexible and empathetic. We never had any hassles at their request for any particular product range. We never had any arguments with our customers," he added.
And even after the peak of the pandemic, the Patel family has maintained the level of service and compassion.
“We get the products what our shoppers want and when they want without any obligations on their part to buy. We listen to their demands and need and take actions accordingly and timely," he said.
Kim is proudly independent and prefers to stay outside of symbol groups, saying he likes to run the business his own way.
At the heart of Ardingly News is a family that works as one unit.
“We all work together in perfect coordination. We are flexible and supportive. And since its a family owned business, we don't have to worry about any timings or strict protocols.
"The reason I could give exceptional service during Covid is also because ours is a family run business where my wife and my father used to cover for me while I was out doing deliveries.
"I was fairly confident that I could do serve my community well because of the backup I had from my family.," Kim said.
Kim and his family also received praise from Mims Davies, MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield.
In a letter sent to Kim, seen by Asian Trader, Davies congratulated the retailer on the recognition, praising the Patel family's "kind and conscientious way and cheerful disposition".
Announcing the award, Ardingly Parish Council stated, "In every community, there are those who go above and beyond, not for recognition, but because kindness is simply their way of life. Kim and family embody that spirit every day.
"Their unwavering dedication ensures that our disabled villagers are supported, our elderly residents are cared for, and our daily essentials—from food to newspapers—are always available. With smiles, good grace, and an extraordinary work ethic, they have woven themselves into the very fabric of our village.
"During the challenges of Covid, they stepped up without hesitation, anticipating what people might need and ensuring no one felt alone or forgotten. Their compassion and commitment never wavered.
"Kim has truly put the heart back into the high street, and it’s an honour to celebrate a family that is an irreplaceable asset to our village."