Alpesh and Bimal Patel's North London store, has been named UK Londis Store of the Year.

It picked up best Large Londis Store at the prestigious annual Londis awards in London which celebrated the very best Londis stores across the UK.

The store, owned and run by Alpesh and Bimal Patel, took away two titles this year, adding to the list of awards the shop has received.

Independent judge Scott Annan commented on the level of investment the Patels had made in the store and that the shop standards were amongst the best he’d seen.

He also commended the selection of local, specialist and premium products that give shoppers more reasons to shop there.

During the judging process, the store achieved a 95% score, one of the highest ever seen in the competition and Mr Annan called it a beacon store for other retailers to match.

Owner Bimal Patel said: “We really did not expect this as it was such a tough competition. When they announced our store as the winner, I could not believe it.”

“I think we won because of a number of things rather than just one thing: our store standards, our range, our availability, our tidiness and because of the fact that we understand our customers and what they want. We’ve spent a lot of money on the store and that has paid off.”

“As for the prize money, we will use it to treat our team as retailing is all about team work. They will be delighted that we have won and we will put a banner up in the store to tell all our customers. We support local charities in the community and I am sure some of the prize money will go to them.”

The store was awarded £2,000 for winning Large Store of the Year and £10,000 for taking the top prize of Londis Store of the Year 2015.

Londis stores are owned by independent, local retailers but carry the Londis brand and receive marketing, training, technology and product support from the company.

With more than 1,500 stores across England, Wales and Scotland the competition to win the coveted Store of the Year award is tough.

John Pattison, Brand Director at Londis said: “Congratulations to Bimal, Alpesh and their whole team on winning this award and for working hard to make their store such a big part of the local community.

"They really stood out in a strong field and against rigorous assessment. I am delighted for them and this shows the strength that a fantastic local retailer and the Londis brand have when working together.”