"Earlsdon newsagent is one of the best in Coventry"

[dutchman]

Raj Chandi runs The Popping Cork newsagent along with his wife, Bal



A newsagent who has been a pillar of the community for almost 40 years has been recognised for his work in Coventry.

Based in Earlsdon, Raj Chandi runs The Popping Cork newsagent along with his wife, Bal, and in October, he won a national community champion award.

Nominated by a local resident, Raj won the Reach Regionals/NFRN (National Federation of Retail Newsagents) Community Champion of the month award.

But as well as running a successful newsagents, Raj is a well known figure in the community, being a member of the local residents association, and working with his local councillor during regular "Keep Britain Clean" campaigns.

Raj said: "I used to run the neighbourhood watch in this vicinity and now this store is like a part of this community.

"We are there for everybody when they need us.

"I've been here almost 40 years.

"We wanted to move a few times but because we're attached to the neighbourhood we decided to stick it out until retirement.

"We've got a few more years left to retire, and I think we're going to retire from this place."

Fittingly, when Raj was presented with the award, a customer called Caroline came into the shop.

She said: "If I don't pop in his shop for a few days he always pops around to my house to check that I am okay.

"He is a pillar of the local community, always willing to help his customers and others in the area.

"He fully deserves this award."

The nomination form submitted read: "Raj opens for long hours to serve his local community and is very engaged in that community.

"He is supportive of the local residents association and attends the meetings when he can and support our efforts to improve and maintain our neighbourhood.

"He (and his wife, Bal) always have a smile and a kind word and they will go out of their way to help you.

"We have a lot of students living around his shop and most are from overseas and Raj is always on hand to help not just with items in his shop but generally with tips and information about the local area and facilities."