Building on the powerful community focus of Coca-Cola’s ‘The Bosses’ campaign, The Coca-Cola Company has donated £120,000 to charities handpicked by the six featured retailers.
‘The Bosses’ campaign celebrates the independent retailers who sit at the heart of their communities – and who have played an important role in Coca-Cola’s story in Great Britain, from the early days right through to today. Selected for their dedication, spirit and local impact, the six entrepreneurial store owners were the focus of a nationwide tribute that shone a light on their contribution and championed the wider convenience retail community.
The campaign underlines Coca-Cola’s ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities that have supported Coca-Cola for 125 years across Great Britain.
To bring their stories to life, photographer Serena Brown captured the retailers and their families in a striking gallery of high-fashion portraits, while director Ross Bolidai created a series of emotive mini-documentaries revealing their real lives, family dynamics and community influence – helping shoppers see the people behind the counter in a whole new light.
As the next chapter of the campaign, each of the six ‘bosses’ has been given a £20,000 fund to allocate to up to two charities that hold personal significance and deliver meaningful support within their local areas. From food banks and hospice care to youth initiatives and cultural organisations, the chosen charities reflect the diverse ways these retailers champion the places they serve.
In Edinburgh, Sophie Williams and her parents, Linda and Dennis – who run their store together – directed their donation to a local service supporting vulnerable people through companionship, social activities and essential assistance.
Sunita Aggarwal, owner of three convenience stores across Wigston and Leicester, chose to support local groups that focus on cultural enrichment and community service, reflecting her family’s commitment to helping others.
In Middlesbrough, father and son retailer team Bay, Max and Ellis Bashir split their donation between two regional organisations providing vital cardiac support and emergency response services that make a life-saving difference across the area.
Keith Tomes – representing his family whose convenience store in Swanage, on Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck, first opened in 1908 – dedicated his funding to a community trust working to rebuild a much-loved local skatepark and sustain services at a neighbourhood centre.
Bobby Singh of BB Superstore & Post Office in Pontefract chose to give back to a local kitchen supporting families facing food insecurity, as well as a care provider offering specialist support to people with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones.
Finally, Kaual Patel, owner of Torridon Convenience Store in Catford, divided his contribution between a youth empowerment initiative and a community hub that promotes learning, arts and cultural participation in South East London.
Stephen Moorhouse, General Manager at CCEP GB, said: “The retailers featured in ‘The Bosses’ are extraordinary individuals who give so much to the people around them. We’re proud to work closely with convenience retailers across Great Britain, and these donations reflect our continued commitment to supporting the people and places at the heart of their communities.”
Bobby Singh, Owner of BB Superstore & Post Office in Pontefract, said: “I’m honoured to have been part of this campaign and to be able to shine a light on the charities that do so much for our community. These donations will make a real difference to people locally, and I’m grateful to Coca-Cola for helping to support causes close to my heart and the local community”.
To find out more about ‘The Bosses’ portrait series, visit: https://www.coca-cola.com/gb/en/social/uk-local-stories
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