Residents, community groups, and local organisations gathered in Salford last week for a special street party hosted by neighbourhood shopkeeper and Allwyn Local Retail Champion, Amit Patel. The event celebrated the positive impact of National Lottery players in the area and marked the official reopening of Amit's shop as a One Stop convenience store following a recent refurbishment.
Attendees enjoyed a bouncy castle, face painting, food, and music from a DJ. During the event, Amit unveiled a new banner on the side of the store, recognising the contribution National Lottery players have made through purchases of National Lottery products there. The banner was funded by Amit's prize money from winning an Allwyn Local Retail Champions Innovation Award in November 2025.
Four Local Good Causes Featured on the Banner
The banner highlights four local good causes supported by the funding generated by the store:
- Talk About It Mate – a mental health organisation promoting wellbeing through peer support and community-led activities.
- Salford Loaves & Fishes – a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness, isolation, and vulnerability through practical help, hot meals, advice, and skills-based programmes.
- The Inside Workout – an organisation helping people across Salford through fitness, wellbeing, and employability initiatives that build confidence, skills, and opportunities.
- Dig Media – whose project, ECHO Salford, brings the area’s rich musical and cultural history to life through an interactive digital heritage trail.
Local Retail Champions is supported through Allwyn's annual Social Value Fund, which helps communities and high streets across the UK and Isle of Man to thrive. Amit won the new Innovation Award category and used his £2,500 prize to bring his idea to life, creating the Good Causes sign and helping to host the community celebration.
More Than £700,000 Raised for Good Causes
Amit Patel, owner of One Stop, Salford, said: "I was genuinely shocked when I got the call telling me I'd won the Local Retail Champions Innovation Award. What amazed me even more was discovering that more than £700,000 had been raised for National Lottery Good Causes through sales at our store. It's not just about numbers on a ticket, and it's not just about scratching a piece of card. It's about where the money goes afterwards and the difference it makes in communities across the country."
Karl Southworth, head of field sales at Allwyn, added: "Amit is a fantastic example of the important role National Lottery retailers play at the heart of their communities. Through his commitment and creativity, he has found a brilliant way to celebrate the incredible £700,000 raised for Good Causes through National Lottery sales at his shop. It's been so heartening to see so many people come together for this special occasion, and we're proud that the Local Retail Champions Innovation Award helped bring Amit's idea to life."
MP Highlights Community Spirit
Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford, attended the celebration and highlighted the importance of community-focused local businesses in creating stronger neighbourhoods. She said: "We have shops like the one behind us, run by Amit and his family, that are dedicated to bringing the community together. That's lovely to see because that's what we're about in Salford: community spirit."
The street party not only celebrated the store's reopening but also underscored the tangible benefits of National Lottery funding in the local area, with the banner serving as a lasting reminder of the contributions made by players.
