Read all about it! Pozzi's claim UK Newsagent of the Year honour
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A BUCKIE newsagent has been unveiled as the UK's Newsagent of the Year.
David Robertson, who owns JP Pozzi in the town, made his way to the Federation of Independent Retailers Fed Awards in London, a long trip which was to be richly rewarded with the coveted title of top British newsagent. It is the first time the trophy has been up for grabs for three years due to the pandemic
The trophy will now sit alongside the Scottish Local Retailer Scottish Newstrader of the Year Award the firm captured for the third time last year.
Family-run Pozzi's has served the local community for the last 35 years and currently offers a newspaper delivery service stretching from Spey to Cullen and inland to Clochan.
Mr Robertson dedicated the award to his team at the firm and the community who support them.
"This award is for everybody at team Pozzi and is a validation of all the hard work they do," he said.
"It's really quite an honour and to have both the Scottish and UK awards, well, it doesn't get any better.
"On behalf of my mum, the paper boys and girls, our drivers and staff I want to thank everyone for their support. I'm just sorry my dad wasn't here to see us take the UK award.
"Newspapers is a difficult place to operate the minute and we pride ourselves in serving the town, which we've done for the last 35 years, and the huge delivery area we cover.
"The award is recognition for this and the commitment we had to serving the community during Covid where we – as did a lot of independent businesses – went the extra mile to care about the community and support the town.
"To be honest I wasn't confident that we'd get the award. Afterwards the judges told me that the investment in the business, the passion to serve the local community, trying to change things so we can continue to go over and above for our customers and to make newspapers and magazines things they want and enjoy all helped to win it for us.
"We also provide a lot of jobs in the town, including a lot of first jobs for kids, which are important. It's great to see them using their experience with Pozzi's as they move on.
"None of this would've been possible without the support of local people and we're very grateful to them. We need their support to continue as we're operating in a very tough and challenging environment."
One of the things which impressed the judges was the reopening of the coffee shop at Pozzi's, back after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Mr Robertson said that the judges thought it "brought something different" to what the newsagent's had to offer customers.
He added that while Covid distancing restrictions were eased last year he wanted to wait until people felt more confident about coming out again before laying out the welcome mat, which has also seen an extra member of staff taken on.
Major investment was also ploughed into the firm's premises at 4-6 High Street last year, including a new roof, new windows and repointing.
Mr Robertson added: "We're continually investing in both the business and the building.
"We take pride in the building, which has been here for more than 100 years and I hope it's here for a long time after I'm gone.
"The work was all done by firms within Moray so we can keep the money as local as possible."
Up against Mr Robertson in final of the Newsagent of the Year category were Hazel Bell, of Bell's Newsagent and Tobacconist in Belfast and Julie Brown from Livingstone's Newsagent in Comber.
As part of the judging process Mr Robertson had to submit evident to the panel, with Pozzi's receiving two visits, one notified in advance and the other on a mystery shopper basis.
The Fed’s National President Jason Birks said: “David has rationalised his newspaper and magazine offering to focus on best-selling titles.
"That said, customers can still get their favourite read through his shop save or home news delivery offering.
“The result is an easy to shop range with top class displays and a delivery service that is growing constantly to satisfy orders from surrounding towns and villages.”
Keep up to date with what is happening at Pozzi's by following the firm's Facebook page.
