Harrogate district family-run village shop crowned Local Retail Champions for outstanding community work
A family-run village shop in the Harrogate district has been celebrated on the national stage after winning a prestigious accolade at the 2025 Local Retail Champions awards, organised by Allwyn – operator of The National Lottery.
Laura and Andrew Binns, owners of Dacre Village Store in Dacre Banks, collected a regional award and a £5,000 prize at the ceremony, held at the Hilton London Syon Park.
The honour recognises their outstanding commitment to supporting the local community.
The couple and their team were selected as Local Retail Champions thanks to the store’s ongoing efforts to fundraise for village causes, including the children’s football team and the village hall.
Each year they help to run a community jumble sale and host donation pots in the shop, with every penny going back into local projects.
Their support extends well beyond fundraising.
Laura and Andrew make sure elderly residents who can’t reach the shop still get their groceries by delivering them straight to their door.
They are also actively involved in raising money to re-fit the community playground, as well as organising a back-to-school fun day that is free for everyone to attend.
In addition, they organise free activities for children during school holidays, ensuring families have fun and inclusive events to enjoy.
Laura and Andrew said: “Thank you to every single one of you lovely lot who nominated us - we are extremely grateful and very proud.”
The Local Retail Champions is funded through Allwyn’s £1 million annual Social Value Fund, dedicated to helping communities and high streets across the United Kingdom and Isle of Man thrive.
A total of 16 regional winners, along with two national winners, were recognised for their outstanding contributions to their local communities.
Alison Acquaye-Acford, Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales at Allwyn, said: “Congratulations to our Yorkshire winners.
"This initiative shines a spotlight on the incredible role National Lottery retailers play in their communities.
"Laura and Andrew embody the values that make local shops so vital to their local areas.
"We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the Good Causes they support by selling National Lottery tickets.”