Winning ways

- Published: 12 October, 2007

Wanstead's last remaining butcher has won the Wanstead Society Shopkeeper of the Year Award.

Stephen Alsop has worked at AG Dennis for 40 years, having joined the business as a teenage apprentice. He bought the shop nearly 20 years ago and has since seen five other butcher's shops close down through lack of trade.

The award, voted for by members of the community, recognises his outstanding contribution to the town.

"It's a fantastic honour to receive this award," said Stephen. "Some of the credit should really go to Leonard Dennis, who trained me as a teenager, as he built up a very good business.

"I like to think that I have maintained the shop and maybe brought it on a bit. I hope to continue to do so in the future.

"My staff also deserve credit. Some of them have been with the business for a long time and are very loyal and hardworking."

Stephen hopes to pass the business on to his son.