Twenty-five-year-old Ashley Gale, manager of Not Just Pets in Larkhall, Bath, has been voted UK Retailer of the Year by the British Independent Retailer Association.

Ashley actually won two national awards at the British Independent Retailer Association (bira) conference and gala held at the Cotswold Water Park. The awards were presented by Chris Barrie of Red Dwarf and Brittas Empire fame.

His first award was for the Young Retailer of the Year in his division of Pet Product Retailer Association (PPRA).  

Ashley then went up against four strong candidates, who had won their divisions, for the overall Young Retailer of the Year award. The other divisions included hardware, cookware, agriculture, gardening and fashion. The judges were unanimous in their vote and chose Ashley as winner of the main award.

Ashley was nominated for this award after all his hard work and dedication to Bath-based Not Just Pets. He joined the company as a 16-year-old Saturday worker in 2005.

Enjoying his work and engaging with the business and customers, he has made rapid progress and was offered the manager position at the Larkhall store last year.

Ashley's prizes include Champagne, certificates and two plaques as well as a place at the prestigious Oxford Summer School for Retail at Oxford University. The School offers the best training and development for retail managers.

Not Just Pets owner Janine Tozer (pictured with Ashley) said: “We are absolutely delighted and thrilled for Ashley to win this award and we are very proud of him.

"The prize of a place at the Oxford Summer School for Retail is fantastic and, from an ex-graduate of that school I can confidently say he will thoroughly enjoy it and will learn so much.

"Ashley deserves this award for his hard work and commitment to our company. He is always organised, dedicated and ready for a challenge and he shows such an interest in our customers, always putting the customer first.”

The awards, sponsored by Towergate Insurance, are held by bira to recognise young independent retailers and reward them in their efforts.