Retailers in Kilmarnock and West Cumbria scooped the top prizes in this year's Robert Wiseman Dairies Neighbourhood Shop of the Year awards ceremony in Glasgow. Margaret Low, who manages a Spar store in Munro Avenue, Kilmarnock, received the Neighbourhood Shop of the Year title, and David and Jane Scott, proprietors of Bootle Stores in Bootle, West Cumbria, won the unaffiliated title. They received their trophies from Clive Beddall, editor of The Grocer, which sponsored the event. The Spar store has been part of the 14-strong Gilliespie group of stores in Ayrshire for the past two years. The Scotts' store was refurbished over the past year which entailed demolishing walls and digging out tons of hard core, by hand, to level the floor. Regional gold award winners were Mace Westhill, Aberdeen, run by Helen Cowie, in Scotland North, and Alldays in Bromsgrove, run by Sandra Ward, in the Midlands region. Judging involved mystery shoppers visiting independent stores, nominated by customers, to rate their performance. Criteria included service, community spirit and product range. George Penny Jnr, an experienced independent retailer, picked the winners after visiting the 50 stores that won through to the national finals. Wiseman sales and marketing director Sandy Wilkes thanked the customers who nominated their local store: "Nomination is itself a testament to the level of service that independent retailers offer throughout the year and a reflection of the special place they continue to hold in the local community." Lawrie Dewar, who retires from his role as chief executive of the Scottish Grocers' Federation received a lifetime achievement award. {{NEWS }}

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