SLR’s unique and hugely successful Above & Beyond Awards are back for 2026 – and it’s easier than ever to nominate colleagues who deserve some recognition.
The SLR Above & Beyond Awards are now in their third year and have been hugely popular thanks to their unique goal of recognising and rewarding the shopfloor heroes that help demonstrate why the local retailing sector is so very special to communities across Scotland.
The Awards were created as a platform to highlight the often incredible actions of store staff that more often than not go entirely un-noticed. From literally saving customers’ lives to totally reworking stores and training staff to accommodate the needs of patients at a nearby dementia hospital, the Awards have already unearthed some truly heroic actions where store staff have clearly gone above and beyond the call of duty.
This is what separates local retailing from all other channels, and this is what makes the SLR Above & Beyond Awards so vital and necessary.
Celebratory lunch: 18 March 2026, The Corinthian Club, Glasgow
Even easier entry
The entry process is nomination-based and allows anyone in a store to nominate a colleague for the Above & Beyond Awards. This year we are making the entry process even simpler than before. All you have to do is complete the very brief entry form online and then provide us with some basic information like the nominee’s name, job title and phone number along with one or two bullet points on why you believe your nominee should be considered for an award.
We will then call every nominee to find out a little more and gather the information we need to share your nominee’s story with the world.
It’s that simple.
Next steps
When all of the calls are complete, we will create an extensive list of finalists, and all finalists will be invited free of charge to a celebratory lunch at the exclusive Corinthian Club in Glasgow on the 18 March 2026.
Working with our generous sponsors, we will ensure that everyone joining us is treated to a magical day, a great meal, a few drinks and the chance to catch up with fellow shopfloor superheroes and learn more about why local retailing is the heartbeat of every Scottish community.
So please don’t hang around: it takes less than a minute to get a nomination in and that little bit of effort could end up making all the difference to your nominee. It’s never been more important to give our hard-working store colleagues the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.
It couldn’t be quicker or easier:
- Head over to the simple online nomination form.
- All we need from you is some very basic information like:
- the nominee’s name, job title and contact telephone number.
- one or two bullet points on why you believe your nominee should be considered for an award.
- Complete and return to events@55north.com.
Contact Cara with any questions.
Our judging panel will then personally call every nominee to find out a little more from them. It’s a very informal and relaxed call and allows us to gather the information we need to share your nominee’s story with the world.
Needing some inspiration?
Alison Lennon, Day-Today Shotts
Alison helped save the life of an elderly customer who didn’t arrive for his daily morning paper as usual. Alison went to his house where she discovered that he had had a serious accident and had been unable to call for help. Alison quickly raised the alarm, calling the emergency services, and the customer’s life was saved.
“The Above and Beyond Awards were such a fantastic experience,” Alison says. “I’d never really considered that I was doing anything that special or ‘astonishing’ until I was nominated, so it was really lovely to be told that and to meet so many other inspiring people.”
Kyrie Davidson, Spar Kincaidston
Kyrie wowed the judging panel with her fantastic ‘Angel Tree’ campaign where she asked customers to ‘buy’ one of the decorations on her in-store Christmas tree with the money being used to buy gifts for 30 local children who might not otherwise have woken up to a present on Christmas morning. A fantastic and simple idea that could easily be replicated in other stores.
Salman Javed, A&J Stores Stenhousemuir
Young Salman Javed just happened to step outside his parents’ store when he noticed a man suffering with chest pains in the road. He rushed over to help and before he knew it the man had collapsed. Salman dialled 999, put him into the recovery position and then sprinted for the community defibrillator which is housed outside his store. He then used the defibrillator to resuscitate the man and save his life.
“It was all a bit of a blur but we had been fully trained on using the defib and, even though I was shaking with nerves, I followed the instructions and, thankfully, it worked.
“I would urge everybody to have a think about some of the amazing things their colleagues may have done and make sure they nominate them. Our stores are true community hubs and it’s great that the Above & Beyond Awards helps shine a light on the stuff that usually goes unnoticed.”
Claire Fleming, SPAR Portland St, Troon
Claire Fleming spearheaded an astonishing campaign during her time as the manager of Spar Portland Street in Troon that saw her physically rework her store and train all staff to better meet the needs of customers coming in daily from a local dementia hospital.
“Winning my award was such a proud moment for me, but win or lose, it didn’t matter, simply being nominated was enough. It’s all about having someone notice you and say well done. Some people don’t have anyone in their life who says ‘well done’ or ‘I’m proud of you’ to them and that’s what makes the Above & Beyond awards so powerful. That recognition could be a pivotal moment in someone’s life.”
Alix Kligg, Londis Solo Convenience Store, Baillieston
Quick-thinking Alix performed crucial first aid when a local lady fell and hit her head in the street outside the store last summer. An ambulance had been called but was still a long way off – so Alix calmly took matters in hand by assessing the lady and giving vital first aid before phoning back to the store for blankets to keep the poor lady warm.
Alix then found the lady’s phone and called her husband, before arranging for someone to bring him to the scene.
“I didn’t really think of this as anything special. It’s just what we do at the store because we’re really community focused. But the Award helped me realise that I had actually done something pretty special and I was delighted to have it recognised.”
Awards Categories
Independent Store Colleague
Open to all colleagues working in independently owned local retailing stores in Scotland that are unaffiliated or members of any symbol group, fascia or franchise.
Company-Owned Store Colleague
Open to all colleagues working in CJ Lang company-owned stores in Scotland.
Business Booster
Open to all colleagues who have materially improved their store’s performance by suggesting or introducing a new concept, product, service, communication method or a change in operational process.
Team Of The Year
Open to all in-store teams which have pulled together to make a positive difference to their store’s performance and/or to their community.
Up & Coming Star
Open to all colleagues aged 25 or under working in any of the store formats detailed above who have shown themselves to be outstanding colleagues with a bright future in the sector ahead of them.
Long Service Award
Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who have worked in the sector, or a single store or chain, for an extended period of time.
Astonishing Act
Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who truly went Above & Beyond to perform an astonishing act that had a massive positive impact on a customer, colleague or the community.
A word from our sponsors:
Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelez International
“As the provider of iconic brands such as Cadbury, Bournville, OREO, Maynards Bassetts, belVita and Dairylea, Mondelez International recognises the vital role independent retailers play in connecting our snacks with consumers nationwide. We’re proud to celebrate and reward those who consistently go the extra mile for their shoppers, their teams and their communities.
“Mondelez International is delighted to sponsor the Independent Store Colleague and Long Service categories at the SLR Above & Beyond Awards, honouring some of the most exceptional individuals in independent retail. Best of luck to all entrants!”
Frank McCarron, Company Owned Store Director, CJ Lang/Spar Scotland
“Our team members are undoubtedly our greatest asset, a fact that is clearly recognized and appreciated by our customers. We understand that convenience store staff often work tirelessly behind the scenes, truly serving as the unsung heroes of the community. It’s a privilege for us to participate in industry awards that celebrate and honour their dedication and hard work, highlighting their invaluable contributions.”
Kate Abbotson – Senior External Communications Manager CCEP
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is proud to celebrate the exceptional contributions of independent retailers through our sponsorship of the Independent Store Colleague & Long Service categories at the SLR Above & Beyond Awards. As the distributor of some of the world’s most-loved brands — including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, and Monster — we recognise the vital role independent retailers play in bringing our drinks to communities across the UK. Their dedication ensures that consumers can enjoy our products wherever and whenever they choose. We’re delighted to support and honour those who consistently go above and beyond for their shoppers, their teams, and their local areas. These awards shine a light on the passion and commitment that drive independent retail forward. Best of luck to all the nominees.
Gill Smith, Scottish Sun Editor-in-Chief
“The Scottish Sun is once again delighted to be Media Partner for the SLR Above and Beyond Awards.
“We rely on convenience stores to sell our papers day in and day out, and these awards honour the often-unseen work of the people who run them.
“From life-changing community schemes to going beyond the call of duty to help individuals, local retailers are a vital lifeline for many Scots and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate them.”
