Drinks Inc is sponsoring the Neighbourhood Store of the Year Category 3 at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

In addition to sponsoring an award at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards, Drinks Inc will supply the wine for the tables on the night, namely Mucho Mas Black Edition Red and Mucho Mas White.

Trading Manager (Wine) at Drinks Inc, James McLornan tells NR about the company’s wine portfolio and training provided.

“I’ve been working as the Wine Buyer for Drinks Inc for the past three years. Since taking up the role, I’ve been focused on refreshing our wine portfolio, securing exciting and fast-growing new wine agencies like Dada Malbec and the new Mucho Mas Range, while also growing sales on our well-established wine agencies like Beronia Rioja and the extremely popular Most Wanted wine range.

“As an approved WSET educator, we’re providing WSET wine training throughout our own business and within lots of independently-owned off licences across Northern Ireland.

“In addition to this formal training, we are also providing extensive customer tasting evenings for off licence staff and their off licence customers. Plus, our annual wine portfolio tasting has proved extremely popular over the past few years allowing our customers to sample across our entire range while meeting the wine producers behind our wines,” added James.

“The great thing about the wine category is that every day is a school day for all of us, you just never stop learning within the wine business. Plus, the more informed we are then the more likely we’ll be in convincing consumers to be more adventurous with their wine choices.”

To find out more, visit https://www.drinksinc.com/

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Flogas is sponsoring the Best Customer Service category at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

A leader supplier of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), Natural Gas and Electricity across the island of Ireland, Flogas services a wide range of market sectors and applications including industrial, commercial, domestic, catering, agricultural and automotive markets.

Since commencing business in 1978, Flogas has steadily built a reputation for service and reliability with nationwide coverage. Indeed, with a total LPG storage capacity of almost 6,500 tonnes, they operate the largest marine and inland LPG storage facilities in Ireland.

Flogas is a widely recognised brand, primarily because of its conspicuous signage found in nearly every town and village in Ireland, a result of its reliable network of retail partners. It has become a trusted name in the energy business, known for high quality products and effective marketing that boosts individual retailers’ visibility and attracts customers.

Safety First remains a priority, demonstrated through a rigorous cylinder retesting program and secure seals. A community approach allows their partner retailers to not only provide essential energy to their local community but also allows them to establish their business as a vital support system. As an Irish company, Flogas supports local jobs and communities making it a satisfying and mutually beneficial relationship.

Flogas Ireland’s group of companies is in a unique position as the only energy supplier across the island of Ireland that can offer its customers a wide range of fuels including; LPG, BioLPG, Flogas Natural Gas, Clearpower Renewables, and Budget Energy Electricity!

To find out more, visit https://www.flogas.ie/ and https://www.flogasni.com

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JustMist Wholesale is sponsoring the Off Licence of the Year category at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

JustMist Wholesale Ltd is the leading disposable vaping wholesaler in Northern Ireland and have been established in the region for the last 12 years.

JustMist Wholesale’s office head office is based in Northern Ireland, and they also have sales staff in the Republic of Ireland.

JustMist Wholesale Ltd offers a two-day delivery service to the Republic of Ireland and a one-day delivery service to Northern Ireland. The company is also one of the leading wholesalers in Ireland for different brands of disposable vapes.

“After extensive research in the vaping market, we have introduced the 12 most popular flavours, so there is sure to be something for everyone’s tastebuds,” said Lisa Watson, business development manager with JustMist Wholesale Ltd.

In the last few months, they have launched a new product in the JustMist family, the exciting Misty Crystal, which joined their new brand, Misty Mary.

“Disposable vapes offer a more convenient way to enjoy your favourite flavours of e-liquids without the hassle of changing coils or refilling liquids,” added Lisa.

“As well as our new brand, Misty Mary, we have our other highly popular JustMist Bars in 20 different flavours,” said Lisa.

“We are also stockists of the popular Lost Mary, with over 34 flavours, Elf Bar, with over 15 flavours, and we recently added Gold Bars, which has over 20 flavours, to our portfolio.”

Director of JustMist Wholesale, Robert Clarke added: “As the first established vape business in the whole island of Ireland, we are committed to bringing the best and most affordable vape products to the retailers and consumers.”

To find out more, visit www.justmist.co.uk

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The esteemed broadcaster is a well-known personality across Northern Ireland, appearing on our television screens for more than three decades. She is the former presenter of BBC Newsline who also hosted BBC Children in Need, the Balmoral Show and Country Times. Donna recently had a cameo role in the award-winning Derry Girls series on Channel 4.

Having previously hosted the Neighbourhood Retailer Summit in 2019, this year will see her host the NR Awards for the first time, and she told us she was really looking forward to the night.

“I was delighted to be asked to host this year’s awards. I am looking forward to working with the Penton team again and it will be a really good, positive night.

“I love helping people celebrate what has been good and what has been successful in business; it’s nice also when their peers all come together and celebrate each other.”

EXCITEMENT BUILDING

This year’s gala dinner is taking place on Friday 20^th October at the Crowne Plaza Belfast and excitement is building to the special event, which marks the biggest night in the Northern Ireland retail industry calendar.

This year’s exclusive entertainment is The Globe Girls, a talented collective of West End performers, who have performed for royalty and major celebrities and have appeared on several national television shows, including This Morning. It’s guaranteed to be a thrilling night!

Donna added nights such as these were the perfect time to mingle with colleagues and friends in a more relaxed environment.

“I have always loved meeting people and interacting with them, and they are not under the same pressures of work at these events, so it will be nice and relaxed,” she added.

PREPARATIONS

With just a few weeks until the gala dinner, the popular presenter said pre-event nerves weren’t a factor.

“I never get nervous, but the adrenaline does start pumping. We are not robots of course, so we slip up on the odd word, but you know that’s okay.

“Of course, you want to make sure that everything goes well and the night goes smoothly. I go through the scripts and make sure the running order is organised, that is all part of the job.”

The NR Awards attract a high calibre of entrants from both established and new retailers, all of which are hoping to take home one or more of the prestigious awards and with it, recognition and respect from the industry’s biggest players.

Each award goes through a stringent and wholly independent judging process, and taking home one of these awards can be a game-changing experience for every winner.

You still have a chance to be part of this exciting event – to book a table contact Sharon Bright on 02890 457 457 or click here.

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McGrath Bakery Services are sponsoring the Bakery of the Year category at this year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

Established in 2007, McGrath Bakery Services first began trading as a small engineering firm and have since grown steadily increasing both capacity and capability along the way.

With over 20 years of experience in the bakery equipment sector, they are well placed to understand the needs of customers, with owner Philip McGrath and his team completing a full range of jobs and projects. From supplying machines for start-up bakeries, to introducing machines that will increase the productivity of production lines in industrial-scale businesses, McGrath Bakery Services is a trusted name for Northern Ireland bakeries.

They provide high-quality bakery equipment to all types and sizes of bakeries, with contracts ranging from small local bakeries, to mass production environments. Their skills and work ethic have enabled them to achieve sole agent status for various manufacturers, notably Salva and Tekno Stamap.

This partnership allows them to bring unique deals and offers to customers at competitive and affordable prices. Their mission is to be the leading bakery equipment provider across the UK and Ireland.

Based in Dromore, County Down, McGrath Bakery Services operates across the UK and Ireland.

To find out more, visit https://www.mcgrathbakeryservices.com/

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