McBride’s wins overall UK newsagent award

Peter McBride (centre) receives his award from radio presenter and host Nick Ferrari (right), and Steve Fox, managing director of category sponsors, Booker

Omagh retailer Peter McBride has won a prestigious national competition for his network of stores.

Mr McBride was crowned Convenience Retailer of the Year at the 2016 National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) Awards, which took place at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London on November 23.

His 11 Spar stores were described by judges as offering an excellent shopping experience with “real value for money”.

“All his shops support local suppliers and following a £260 million investment in McBride’s Foodhall in Scaffog, the store offers the latest in fresh food and grocery, with a butchery, deli, and post office which means that shoppers don’t need to go anywhere else,” he judging panel said.

More than 400 guests including newspaper and magazine publishers, politicians, suppliers and independent retailers were in the audience to see him receive his award from Steve Fox, managing director of category sponsors, wholesaler Booker.

The Convenience Retailer of the Year Award recognises an independent retailer who has embraced additional categories into their store and grown their business as a result.

The NFRN Awards are presented annually to recognise excellence in news and convenience retailing, rewarding those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sector.

The NFRN has 15,000 members including newsagents and convenience store operators.