Unicorn scoops top award

Unicorn Grocery, a workers’ co-operative in Chorlton, Manchester, has been named Best Local Food Retailer at Radio 4’s prestigious annual Food and Farming Awards ceremony. 


Unicorn Grocery, a workers’ co-operative in Chorlton, Manchester, has been named Best Local Food Retailer at Radio 4’s prestigious annual Food and Farming Awards ceremony. 


Sheila Dillon, who presented the awards, said that the judges wanted to choose a business that was making a real impact on its community and offered a model for sustainable retailing in the future.

She commented that Unicorn, which specialises in organic wholefood produce, provides “some of the UK’s freshest and cheapest produce”.

Unicorn offer competitive priced food because of its trading ethos. They buy direct from mainly local suppliers while its 40-strong workforce are paid just a living wage.

Unicorn spokesman Rob Alderson explained: “This award gives people the chance to see there are living, breathing viable alternatives to the multiples. The key thing is to start changing mainstream grocery retail.

“We have to show that it’s possible to be both responsible and competitive and there’s no reason why all supermarkets can’t be like this.

“After 12 years of trade at Unicorn this award means a lot. It will mean a whole lot more if, after the next 12 years, we’re working in a much more responsible and sustainable grocery industry.”

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