A COUPLE of Dinas Cross shopkeepers, who go the extra mile for their local community, have had their efforts recognised by a national award.

Philip and Meinir Simpson, who have run Mace store, Kiel House, for the past eight years, received the Pro Retail Spirit of the Community award at a gala dinner last week.

This was the first award of its kind to be presented during the trade fair in Telford, and the couple were singled out from Mace shops across the UK after being nominated by their representative.

Meinir said: “It was quite a shock.

“We knew we had been nominated but didn’t know we had won until the announcement.”

The couple were recognised for their work in the community, where they provide vital support and assistance to locals, especially the elderly.

As well as delivering groceries to elderly customers, the pair are also first responders who are called out if an alarm is activated in the event of a fall.

They are also active supporters of the MS centre in Cardigan, which provides oxygen therapy to people with MS and other conditions.

Philip is the centre’s chairman, and the couple are constantly fundraising as it costs £15,000 a year to run the facility.

Despite running the busy shop seven days a week, Meinir and Philip still find to deliver and read mail for older residents, and provide a variety of assistance to those who need it.

The shop is also the location for a police box, where information can be passed on to local officers.

Philip said: “We enjoy it. People come in just for a chat sometimes. We do a lot of everything. The award is for our staff as well, because they do the same.

“We think of what we do as normal. It’s a community shop and we love doing it.”