Capital bags best store in Scotland

A CONVENIENCE store in Oxgangs has been named the best shop in Scotland thanks to its owners' work in the local community.

Husband and wife team Dennis and Linda Williams beat competition from hundreds of shops across the nation to win Scottish Local Retailer of the Year as their store was described as the "beating heart" of Oxgangs.

Judges said they were "blown away" by the commitment the couple showed to their local community, which includes hosting the city's second largest Bonfire Night display free of charge and delivering shopping to elderly residents for free.

Dennis Williams, 46, who founded the Broadway Convenience Store 27 years ago, said: "It's a combination of a lot of hard work, but this is long term investment that we've tried to put into the community.

"We have Tesco, Morrisons and Asda right on our doorstep so we must be doing something right. To get the accolade for the whole of Scotland is just incredible, but it's also a great result for Edinburgh because it hasn't had the title for years.

"It shows you things can be done if you work hard and if you stay positive it goes a long way."

Along with the main award of the night, which was given to Linda and Dennis by Sky Sports anchor Millie Clode at the ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday, they were also named Community Involvement Retailer and Confectionery Retailer of the Year for their selection of sweets.

Antony Begley, editor of Scottish Local Retailer, and the main judge on the night, said: "

It's in the areas of community involvement that the store really stands apart from the competition. The judges were blown away by how much time, effort and money that Dennis and Linda, and all of their staff, put into making their store the real beating heart of the area."

Councillor Jason Rust, who represents Oxgangs, added: "It is well deserved recognition for the great work undertaken."

Dennis' wife Linda, 45, said: "Often people in the community don't know who to go to for help, so we've worked hard with the local councillors to make services more accessible. For the My Shop is Your Shop week we invited community safety officers and council officials and a lot of people got things sorted.

"We like to think the shop has become a hub for the community."