IT’S the kind of shop where staff go “that extra mile” for their customers – and now Foxwood Newsagents has been nominated for The Press Shop Of The Year award.

Customer Hazel Palmer, who has proposed the store in Beagle Ridge Drive, York, said staff were friendly and “great” with both young and old customers.

“They try to help you in any way they can,” she said.

“For instance, I needed to get a red nose, as a little boy had been given one at school to wear on Red Nose Day, but broke it and was frightened he would be in trouble with his teacher.

“One of the staff went out of his way to get me one. It’s just a little thing, but he went that extra mile to make a little boy smile. It’s a top shop for me.”

Danny Langstaff, the shop’s manager, said: “We try to help customers when we can. We are a big community shop – a newsagents, and have a pay point facility and sell lottery tickets.” He said the shop had been open for a “fair while” before being taken over about four years ago by owners Mark Taylor and Andy Wild.

The shop of the year contest is intended to boost the retail sector, and was launched recently as part of The Press York Means Business campaign, which aims to support and promote local businesses through the global recession.

We are asking readers to nominate their favourite shop – and also shopkeepers to nominate their own business - because of the exceptional quality of service.

The winners will enjoy the fabulous prize of a luxury night for two at York’s Dean Court Hotel, followed by a champagne breakfast.

They will then be whisked to York Racecourse in a limo from White Stretch Limousines to attend The Press’s Family Raceday on Sunday, September 6, where the shop owners can be joined by members of their staff.