Ahead of Small Business Saturday on December 6, Lydia Willgress talks to one corner shop that has outdone its supermarket rival

THREE young women stand in the queue laughing. They walked past a Tesco Express to get to Belle Vue Convenience Store and are buying cans of energy drink to get them through a day at work.

They are followed by a mother pushing two babies in a pram and an elderly gentleman in a flat cap who has popped in to get some milk.

The store, on Marton Road, in Middlesbrough, has been run by 42-year-old Bay Bashir for 15 years. When Tesco opened less than 100 metres down the road five years ago, Mr Bashir was concerned that his friendly, community shop would be forced off the street.

“I had a sinking feeling at the start,” he said. “Tesco certainly had a huge impact on sales when it first opened.”

But since the supermarket moved in Belle Vue has upped its game, winning multiple awards including Blakemore Wholesale's Regional and National Retailer of the Year.

The corner shop also won Responsible Retailer at the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) Gala Dinner, held in London on Wednesday night, for selling responsibly after Mr Bashir introduced branded carrier bags that warn against buying alcohol for minors.

The scheme has since been extended to more than 30 stores in the area.

Mr Bashir, who is also a member of Middlesbrough Council’s licensing forum, said: “I had no idea that we were going to win so I was flabbergasted. It is not my award but an award for all of the staff and the store.

“Really I think that Tesco opening was the best thing that has ever happened as it pushed me to be better.

“Sales have gone up year-on-year and people walk past their store to come to us all the time.

“We try to carry out the right procedures when it comes to asking customers for ID. Training is an essential part, so I make sure staff complete training once or twice a year.”

The store was also nominated for the award for its relationship with the community.

“I am really passionate about our customers,” Mr Bashir added. “We will take items to any elderly person if that cannot get to the store. We even go to other shops if they need something that we do not stock.

“If we have not seen one of our regular customers for a few days we will pop to their house and check they are OK.”

Mr Bashir is also on the committee of Boro Rangers football club and buys the kit for the adult and children’s disabled teams.

This Christmas the store is raising money to buy presents for children at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Shop worker Jenny Lauro, 35, said it was because of the store’s close connection with the community that she chose to work there.

“We are a friendly, community shop that is always busy. Everyone knows us and we have decent offers every month whereas some of the supermarkets only do offers for a week,” she said.

Nick Shanagher, managing director of business consultant Newtrade, said: “The way we shop has changed forever and retailers like Belle Vue Convenience Store play an important role in our local communities.”