A BOLTON businessman — who bought an empty shop five years ago — has just been named Convenience Retailer of the Year.

Bhavesh Parekh, who runs the Little Lever Kwiksave in Market Street, beat off 18,000 other stores to land the coveted title at the 2015 National Federation of Retail Newsagents Awards.

The 29-year-old first bought the empty premises five years ago after quitting his job as a financial advisor following the economic crash.

He explained: “I just saw this empty store next to a Tesco and thought why not, now we are still here and the Tesco has gone.”

Mr Parekh puts his success down to providing an offer that is tailored to the local community.

He added: “It’s all about being innovative, giving people what they want.

“To me it’s about providing local produce at a local price for local people.”

Since he opened, the entrepreneur has sourced local suppliers for fresh produce, meat and bakery goods.

In addition he offers gluten-free and sugar-free ranges and last March introduced a Subway franchise into the store as well as changing the lay-out to make it more user-friendly and using the latest eco-friendly technology for refrigeration.

He and his team attended the special ceremony at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London to receive their award.

He said: “It’s great — we have achieved so much in five years and to be recognized in this way is fantastic after all the hard work we have put in.”

Bhavesh joins another national award winner from Bolton, Baz Jethwa, who earlier this month won Independent Retailer of the Year at the 2015 Retail Industry Awards for his Costcutter store in Farnworth.