Wealden MP Nus Ghani has awarded three small businesses in Five Ash Down, Hartfield and Horam, East Sussex, with the Wealden Hero Award for providing vital services to their communities especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Maggie and her daughter-in-law Kim run the Five Ash Down Post Office, supported by colleagues Sam and Nicola. Together they provide vital services to their community and since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis the team have worked tirelessly to deliver supplies to elderly and vulnerable people in the village. They 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 sources meat from reputable farms in the 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 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 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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