A quick-thinking Shotts retailer who helped a customer in distress has been recognised with a top industry award.
Alison Lennon, manager of the Day-Today store in Shotts, won the Scottish Local Retailer’s first-ever Astonishing Act Award after her heroic story actually reduced the judges to tears.
Having worked in her local store for more than 20 years, Alison’s unrivalled knowledge of her local shoppers proved quite literally lifesaving when one of the store’s elderly regulars didn’t turn up for his daily paper one morning.
Spider senses tingling, Alison hotfooted it to the gentleman’s house to check on his welfare. She was right to have been alarmed.
The man’s bad leg had given way when he had tried to get out of the bath the night before – and he had been stuck in the cold tub ever since, unable to call for help.
With no key with which to access the house, Alison reassured him through the letterbox before calling the emergency services, who had to knock down the front door to get in.
Her close local bonds and quick thinking led to the man being rescued.
“No one else would have noticed that he was missing for hours more, maybe even days,” Alison said.
“I’m used to my regular shoppers coming into the shop at the same time every day. I know them all so well and I know if there’s something not right.
“I’ll always check on them and make sure they’re okay or if they need help with anything. It’s just what I do.
“The relationship I have with my customers is the best thing about my job. It genuinely means so much and there’s nothing else I’d rather do.”
United Wholesale’s symbol development manager Lorraine Macpherson described Alison as an “absolute superstar”.
Alison received her award at the SLR’s Above & Beyond Awards which are here to recognise, showcase and reward these store superstars – inspiring other colleagues and future generations along the way.
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