KEMPSHOTT Post Office and Store has been voted as Newsagent of The Year.

The family run shop in Pack Lane, won the accolade at the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) Southern Region Awards.

The shop won Newsquest Hampshire’s Best Independent Newsagent for Weekly Titles as voted by readers across the Basingstoke, Andover, Romsey and Winchester areas.

The accolade was presented at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading, with M&S vouchers worth £100 plus a plaque to display in the store.

Its manager Darren McGregor was over the moon at the glitzy event when he heard the business had won.

He said: “I was like a Cheshire cat – it was like being at the Oscars for the retail trade.

“Thanks go to our customers because it was them who voted for us. If they hadn’t voted we wouldn’t be in position to receive the award.

“And they voted because we have a good bunch of staff and a lot of years experience together.”

The business was started by Darren’s parents, Robert, also known as Bert, and Pauline, who is postmaster, 20 years ago.

“Darren has run the business as manager during that time and he has done a brilliant job,” said Robert, who has had a successful retail career working with some major high street names.

“The awards night was a very enjoyable evening and it was quite exciting – and what a way to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”

Robert added: “It’s like a family here – we’ve got good team spirit and the loyalty of our customers is second to none.

“Customers are key for us, from the first that comes in to the last one at night, we try to provide everyone with the same level of service.”

The busy shop, which became a Premier Express store two years ago, employs 12 members of staff and is open from 5am to until 8pm, seven days a week.

But it is always an early start for Darren.

“The day starts at 4.30am as we’ve got 11 paper rounds to prepare.

“We deliver to just over 500 customers in Kempshott, the Berg Estate, Gabriel Park, Buckskin and South Ham and we deliver around 200 Gazettes every Thursday.”

Kerry Darwin, newspaper sales and promotions manager at Newsquest Hampshire – The Gazette’s parent company, said: “These awards are a fantastic opportunity and reason to celebrate the success of our independent retailers.

“Kempshott Post Office and Store is a truly deserving winner in what was a tough contest.”