David and Veronica Tubby, whose c-store has thrived despite the close proximity of an Asda, were crowned Best Retailers at the Booker Prize for Excellence this week. Judges described the store ­ Country Produce, Cold Norton, Essex ­ as "the only gold mine in Essex". "The week Asda opened our takings halved," said David. "My partner at the time thought it was the beginning of the end but I didn't. "I felt we could have our own niche. As we didn't have an off licence I went through the process starting from what was an eight foot square box. The first Christmas we couldn't keep up with demand and it's all gone from there." Fifteen years on the store has trebled in size to 3,600 sq ft and last Christmas it took £80,000 in one week. David believes the store's diverse range has been vital to its success. "There is no footfall past the door as everyone has to drive here. So it is the range and unusual products we stock that pull people in." The Tubbys, who also won the Best Large C-Store category, won £5,000, while five retailers each won £1,000 as category winners. All the winners go on an information gathering trip to New York. Category winners were: Best Local Store, David Patient, of Nearbuys, Canvey Island; Best Small C-store, Raj Dhesi, Emporium Food & Wine, Dewsbury; Best Off Licence, Suki Bahia and Balwant Dosanjh, Drinks for Less, Wolverhampton; Best Forecourt She Service Station, Nuneaton; and Best Young Busop, Frank and Shameel Chaudry, Central Avenuinessperson, Robert McKane, Orbital Food & Wine, Watford. {{NEWS }}

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