Chelmsford Star Co-operative has won ‘Best For Community Impact’ at the National Business Charity Awards in London.
The Essex-based independent society, which has a total of 50 branches in Essex, including travel agents, food shops and funeral homes, alongside its Quadrant department stores in Chelmsford and Braintree, beat international competition from the likes of Aldi and Prudential.
Judges recognised the sheer volume of charity work and community initiatives that Chelmsford Star has run over its 150 year history, in particular its Charity of the Year programme.
They also noted that a third of all its turnover is reinvested into the Essex economy in some way.
Head of membership and marketing Kevin Bennett said, “Thirty-three pence in every pound people spend in our shops supports Essex in some way. As a co-op, this is what we do, it’s our whole point for existing, it is in our DNA.
“That being said, it is fantastic to be recognised for the fact we punch above our weight. It felt a bit like David and Goliath tonight, as some of those businesses operate in more counties than we have stores!”
