Pritesh Pancholi of Melton Ironmongers in Leicester has named BHF Young Retailer of the Year for 2012.


Mr Pancholi was presented with his award by Synnita Cunningham of Akzo Nobel, the award sponsor, at the annual BIRA awards dinner in Birmingham on April 24.

Keeping it in the family, his father Chan Pancholi was named the first winner of the BIRA Local Hero award, reflecting his extensive support for community initiatives in the Leicester area. Chan Pancholi is in India at present, and the award was accepted by Pritesh on his father's behalf.

The award for the Pet Products Retailer Association Young Retailer of the Year went to Anny Collett of the west country business Not Just Pets, and Emma Pugh of RVW Pugh was named BAGMA Young Employee of the Year.

Katie Smith of Cooking Marvellous in Shrewsbury took the CHA Young Retailer of the Year title, and the Fashion Association of Britain Young Retailer of the Year award went to Melissa Wheeler of Ambiance of Colchester - who also scooped the overall Young Retailer of the Year title.

Jegs won the BIRA Direct hardware supplier of the year for the fourth time, beating off competition from shortlisted Draper Tools and Pik-a-Pak. The award for best growth by a BIRA Direct hardware supplier went to Bulk Hardware, with CPC, Everbuild, and London & Lancashire Rubber also shortlisted.

The award for the most promising newcomer among BIRA Direct hardware suppliers went to Bosmere, with Big K and Durston also shortlisted.

A raffle held on the night of the awards raised £2,188, shared equally between the charities supported by all four candidates for a new award: the BIRA Charitable Champion award. The winner of the award was Matthew Hansford of menswear retailer JR Hansford, with John Barrett of agricultural machinery dealer Hamblys as runner-up.

Also shortlisted were Michael Hughes of the Haverfordwest ladieswear shop Tom Hughes, and Hayley Jay of the Shrewsbury bridal specialist Hayley J.

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