Double award win for Whitehills convenience store

A Whitehills convenience store has won two accolades at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.

The village's Premier shop owner Billy Gatt won the Scottish Local Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Local Retailer Awards.

And it was a double celebration for the business which also won New Store of the Year.

The shop was formerly based at its old premises on Loch Street before moving to its newly built state-of-the-art store and café further along the road last year.

It has enabled the business to offer additional and enhanced services to the community.

There was also success for other stores in the north-east.

Julie-Ann Whyte of Whytes of New Pitsligo was named Unsung Hero of the Year. The award follows a truly remarkable journey for Julie-Ann from the oil industry to local retailing.

This started during the pandemic when she helped keep her local community fed and watered during lockdown.

The store also won Bread and Bakery Retailer of the Year.

The Premier in Turriff was crowned Newstrade Retailer of the Year.

Greens of Ellon (Nisa) were highly commended in the Scottish Brands Retailer of the Year accolade.

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