As the countdown to the NR 2023 Awards continue, we take a look back to our 2022 winners, who tell us how it felt to win a Neighbourhood Retailer Award and what it means to them, their team and their business.

The Off Licence of the Year title was awarded to Gee’s Wine Shop, based at Rossdowney Park in Derry-Londonderry.

The popular shop secured the award, beating off stiff competition after judges praised the “attractive store” for its “innovative and exceptional range”.

Judges added Gee’s offered “much more than expected”.

“Staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic and gave some really good recommendations,” they added.

The family-run store has enjoyed a wealth of support over the years and in mid-2021 moved to their brand-new store.

Following their award win, owner Eamonn Gee said he was delighted to have won.

“I’m delighted for all the staff, many of whom have been with me for years. It’s a recognition for them and their hard work as much as it is for me,” he said.

“Many of our customers have made the effort to come in and congratulate us, which is really nice to get. These are difficult times and this recognition gives everyone a lift.”

The post ‘Winning NR Award is recognition for hard work of all the staff’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

As the countdown to the NR 2023 Awards continue, we take a look back to our 2022 winners, who tell us how it felt to win a Neighbourhood Retailer Award and what it means to them, their team and their business.

A “great shopping experience” at Carnbrooke resulted in the popular business winning the Outstanding Customer Service award at last year’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

The judges described staff as “proactive and helpful” adding their expertise was “happily shared with customers who were made to feel welcome and important”.

They added it was a “great shopping experience” which they would “look forward to repeating”.

Established in 2011, Carnbrooke is owned by husband-and-wife team Jason and Jacqueline Hamilton. Their growth in success has corresponded with an increase in staffing levels, with 95 members of staff employed across their business, which includes two food halls which are supplied from their main site in Lisburn.

Their strong factory, kitchen and retail teams have continued to grow to support the increasing success of their stores alongside their foodservice customers.

Operations Manager at Carnbrooke, Cormac Rice said they were “totally blown away to receive such a prestigious award”.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything at we do in Carnbrooke and deserve only the best in service, expertise, and quality local produce.

“We are truly delighted for our team to be recognised in their excellence every day.”

The post ‘Customers at heart of everything we do’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

As the countdown to the NR 2023 Awards continue, we take a look back to our 2022 winners, who tell us how it felt to win a Neighbourhood Retailer Award and what it means to them, their team and their business.

Winner of the Store Manager of the Year was Ruairi McBride, from Ivan Wilson Centra in Limavady, who impressed the judges with his attention to detail and “deep understanding” of the working of the business.

Describing the award win as “unexpected” Ruairi said he was delighted to be part of the evening celebrating all the good work the retail industry does in Northern Ireland.

“Just to be nominated was a huge compliment and the standard of the other finalists was so high, and they rightly deserved to be there and showcased for performing at the highest level,” said Ruairi.

The independent judges said teamwork and individual recognition were “integral to the overall plan to achieve objectives set and the focus on customer experience produced very positive results”.

They added Ruairi had been “able to explain how exceptional business improvement had been achieved through a number of innovative initiatives to increase customer engagement and drive sales”.

“This energy and commitment underpinned by the experience and confidence demonstrated has made this manager the winner of the award,” they added.

Following his win, Ruairi was quick to heap praise on his whole team, saying they deserved the award as much as he did.

“Winning this award is only possible because of the hard work my team do and because they have fully bought in to what the company’s goals are,” he said.

“When the judging process is going on, it’s the team that is doing all the hard work. I might have the ideas, but it’s entirely down to the team what is done in the store.

“Personally, I would like to thank all my team for all their efforts and to the company directors for the support they give to me. This award is dedicated to all of you.”

The post ‘Attention to detail and deep understanding of the business’ underpinned award win first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

As the countdown to the NR 2023 Awards continue, we take a look back to our 2022 winners, who tell us how it felt to win a Neighbourhood Retailer Award and what it means to them, their team and their business.

The Community Store of the Year title was won by Lynch’s EUROSPAR Skeoge, with judges describing the store as “very much at the centre of the local community”.

Beating off competition from a host of other well-known and equally popular stores, Lynch’s was praised for its “vast range of products” as well as its “services to delight their customers”.

Conor Lynch said that he was “very proud” to win the award, saying it was a “huge privilege given the standard of finalists”.

“Our community in Skeoge is a huge part of what drives our business, how we provide for our local communities and ensure we have choice, value and locally sourced products on our shelves,” said Conor.

“Fundraising is a huge part of our community engagement, and not only do we support local community groups, but we’re very proud to fundraise for our charity partner, Cancer Fund for Children.”

Judges added that Lynch’s Stores’ support for “local producers, suppliers and charities is outstanding” and noted they “deserve their obvious success”.

Heaping praise on his staff, Conor cited their hard work and dedication as key factors in winning the Community Store of the Year award.

“We were delighted to win Community Store of the Year. It was great for the team to get the recognition they deserve, and they got lots of praise on social media from our customers for winning such a high-profile award,” he added.

The post ‘It was great for the team to get the recognition they deserve’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

As the countdown to the NR 2023 Awards continue, we take a look back to our 2022 winners, who tell us how it felt to win a Neighbourhood Retailer Award and what it means to them, their team and their business.

Rising above the competition, it was an extra sweet win for Lisburn bakery, The Daily Apron, as they scooped the award on the same day they celebrated the first anniversary of the business.

Owners Katrina Collins and Cathy Stevenson were “absolutely thrilled” that their bakery – the first artisan small batch bakery in Lisburn – took home the  Bakery of the Year award.

“As an independent female-owned and female team, we are proud of producing award-winning sourdough by Cathy, who is the co-owner and head baker. She is self-taught. Our motto is ‘cake and kindness’ which is baked into everything we do,” said Katrina.

Described as being “crammed full of delights” by the judges, The Daily Apron’s offerings were “sensational, fresh, innovative and beautifully displayed”.

The judges added that staff were “well informed and enthusiastic, serving the volume of customers with ease and efficiency”.

Speaking after their award win, Katrina said it meant that “all those early starts – especially for Cathy, starting at 2am – were worthwhile”.

“All the individual effort we put in, it’s not mass-produced, we really believe in what we do and we really love what we do,” added Katrina.

“We want to grow people’s interest in real bread and the real product.”

The post ‘Winning this award made all those early starts worthwhile’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.