Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has awarded three small local businesses with the Wealden Hero Award.
Maggie and her daughter-in-law Kim run the Five Ash Down Post Office. They are supported by colleagues Sam and Nicola, and together they provide vital services to the local community. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Maggie, Kim, Sam and Nicola have worked tirelessly to deliver supplies to elderly and vulnerable people in the village. The team has also made all the necessary precautions to keep the shop and Post Office counter open seven days a week and well stocked, in order to supply local people with essential groceries and Post Office services.
Dec Davies, owner of the Davies & Sons Family Butchers, has worked round the clock throughout the pandemic, to ensure that Horam residents can continue to get their essential shopping. Davies & Sons Family Butchers prides itself on sourcing meat of the highest quality, from reputable farms in the local area. The shop remained open seven days a week to enable customers to shop near their homes. Dec and his team have expanded their trade and worked with other local businesses to ensure local produce could be stocked in the store. They have also set up home deliveries and quickly became a vital hub for the local community.
Kirti Karia is the manager of the Hartfield Village Stores. He and his colleagues Paul and Sarah have been keeping the store open for long hours every day of the week, ensuring that Hartfield residents had all the necessary essentials available to them throughout the pandemic. Their efforts are hugely appreciated by Hartfield residents, who have nominated Kirti and his team to express their gratitude.
Nus Ghani said: “Small local businesses are at the heart of our communities and they have been more important than ever throughout the pandemic. Across the whole constituency, village stores, post offices, farm shops, butchers, and other essential stores have shown great resilience and dedication, and they have gone above and beyond to provide essential services for local residents. Our village stores are a great asset to the community. The team at Five Ash Down Post Office, Dec Davies and Kirti Karia are greatly valued by their customers and I am delighted to present them with the Wealden Hero Award.”
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