Shops / corner shops
Bristol corner shop crowned ‘independent convenience store of the year’
A corner shop in Bristol has seen off competition from convenience stores across the UK and Ireland to win a top industry award.
Frome Valley Local Store in Frenchay was crowned Independent Convenience Store of the Year at the Federation of Independent Retailers (FED) Awards.
Located near the Frenchay campus of UWE Bristol, the shop is run by Bulgarian-born Stilyana Trifonova.
Her journey with the shop began some nine years ago as a sales assistant when it traded as Costcutter, later becoming a supervisor, then shop manager, before rebranding as Frome Valley Local Store.
The 1,700-square-metre shop floor stocks a large range of food and drinks alongside handmade gifts – photo: Stilyana Trifonova
She said retail “runs in the family”, having previously worked in her family-owned shop in Bulgaria.
The shop has become a local focal point, selling everyday essentials and doubling up as a parcel collection point.
The 1,700-square-metre shop floor stocks a large range of food and drinks alongside handmade gifts, impressing judges.
They said: “Tailoring the range to local needs, offering diverse food and non-food items, local handmade gift items and running fun in-store promotions have all added up to make Stilyana our 2026 independent top performer of the year.”
The awards celebrate independent convenience stores across multiple categories including Sustainable Retailer, Soft Drinks Retailer, Newspaper Agent of the Year and Parcel Retailer of the Year.
The award-winning shop is run by Bulgarian-born Stilyana Trifonova – photo: Stilyana Trifonova
Stilyana was also shortlisted for Parcel Retailer of the Year and Smokeless Alternatives Retailer of the Year.
She said: “I have continually challenged myself to improve, grow and push the business forward.
“To be awarded Independent Convenience Store of the Year exceeded all expectations and is something I am incredibly proud of.
“This award belongs to the entire team.
“The recognition means a great deal and gives us even more motivation to continue improving and serving our customers to the highest standard.”
Main photo: FED
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
