Local Retailers Honoured At Industry Awards
Local retail store Kelly’s Eurospar, Moneymore, is celebrating after being named Northern Ireland’s Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year 2014.
Attended by more than 450 industry professionals, the 17th annual Neighbourhood Retailer Awards – supported by platinum sponsor Cashzone – were held at Belfast’s Ramada Plaza on Friday, October 17, where more than 40 finalists battled it out to win one of 18 industry accolades.
Kelly’s Eurospar was named Neighbourhood Store of the Year (Category 3 – 3,501-7,000sq ft) before going on to win the biggest award of the night: Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year 2014.
It was a memorable night too, for long standing Belfast retailer Niall Creighton, who attended the event in person to collect the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. Niall, whose family business has served the people of Belfast for more than 75 years, was given a standing ovation when he was presented with his trophy.
Of other note, Dermot Donaghy of Newell Stores, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone was awarded the Store Manager of the Year award for his work within the store and developing the business.
Compared by the fantastic Adrian Logan, guests on the night relished in the excitement as awards were presented in 14 other categories (see list below) – following a record 500 entries in this year’s competition.
Following the win, Pearce Kelly, owner of Kelly’s Eurospar, said: “Words cannot fully express what winning this award means to us all. It is the ultimate reward for everyone’s hard work and commitment. To be recognised as Northern Ireland’s best Retailer for 2014 is such a huge achievement and it will no doubt make all our staff duly proud.”
The charity partner on the night was Cancer Fund for Children who raised £3,700 on the night which will provide much needed services for sick children and their families.
The NR awards 2014 winners:
Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year 2014
Kelly’s Eurospar, Moneymore
Lifetime Achievement Award winner:
Niall Creighton
Store Manager of the Year winner:
Dermot Donaghy, Newell Stores
Neighbourhood Store of the Year (Cat 1) winner:
Busby’s Vivo Essentials Moygashel
Off-Licence of the Year winner:
Kenny’s Spar, Garvagh
Butcher of the Year winner:
Stewart’s Craft Butchery and Delicatessen
Neighbourhood Store of the Year (Cat 2) winner:
Centra Brookmount, Omagh
Forecourt of the Year (Cat 1) winner:
Newtownards Service Station
Newcomer of the Year winner:
Devlin’s Costcutter
Bakery of the Year winner:
The Heatherlea, Bangor
Neighbourhood Store of the Year (Cat 3) winner :
Kelly’s Eurospar, Moneymore
Green Store of the Year winner:
JC Stewart, Magherafelt
Forecourt of the Year (Cat 2) winner:
Spar Saintfield Road, Lisburn
Neighbourhood Store of the Year (Cat 4) winner:
JC Stewart, Magherafelt
Training Initiative of the Year winner:
Primacy Meats Food Village, Bangor
Pharmacy of the Year winner:
VE Reaney Chemist, Hillsborough
Deli of the Year winner:
Hughes Nisa Extra, Camlough
CTN of the Year winner:
Model Newsagent, Bessbrook
