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Isle of Wight Co-Op Store Nominated For National Award

A Co-operative store on the Isle of Wight has been nominated for a national retail award at the ‘Oscars of the grocery industry’.

The Welcome Co-op store in Bembridge has been shortlisted for Independent Community Retailer of the Year in the Retail Industry Awards.

The annual ceremony is now entering its 25th year.

Southern Co-op’s Franchise Business Manager, Mike Fitton said:

"All of our franchisees are treated as partnerships and share our commitment to the community, as well as an aim to give their customers top quality in store experiences.

"We have done a lot of work on our customer offerings, branding and back office systems so it is quite humbling to have this recognised and be shortlisted with some of the country's other big franchises.

"The fact that three of our franchise partners have also been shortlisted just serves as even more proof that we are delivering quality services in local communities across the south."

Southern Co-op, which was founded in Portsmouth nearly 150 years ago, has retail stores across the south of England including 38 franchise stores.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on January 26, next year.

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