Packed with the latest news, insights and exclusive features, it’s an issue you don’t want to miss.

It’s the final countdown to this year’s NR Awards gala dinner and as we reveal some of this year’s finalists, excitement is starting to build! This is your last chance to secure your seat at the biggest night for NI grocery retail – so don’t miss out!

Inside this issue, we take a look at the challenges facing Northern Ireland’s city centres and speak to business owners and management to discuss what solutions are really needed to give the region’s urban centres a fighting chance of survival.

It has been an exciting period of growth and development for The Wall Group, having purchased its eighth site last year. Twelve months on, it has relaunched its Springfield Road store and Gavan Wall tells NR about extensive plans for the future of the site.

Elsewhere, NR was delighted to once again attend the annual Food Force Ireland Trade Day. This year’s event was particularly special for Commercial Director, Debra Johnston as she hosted her final one before her retirement.

As well as all the latest news and exciting NPD, don’t forget to check out our exclusive company profile on new Symbol Group, MyDaily and an extensive NI Baker supplement looking at this busy sector in NI.

YOU CAN READ ALL THIS AND MUCH MORE IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE HERE!

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The Europa Hotel will host the 30^th anniversary of the NR Awards – Northern Ireland’s most prestigious grocery industry awards.

It has been another impressive year for entrants to the awards, and the independent judging panel has spent the last few months visiting and assessing stores right across Northern Ireland.

We are delighted to have Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, return as our platinum sponsor for this year’s awards and category sponsor for the Community Store of the Year award.

The NR Awards are the pinnacle of the year for the NI grocery industry, with the gala awards dinner a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and congratulate the hard-working retailers, store managers, staff and suppliers who make this industry what it is.

We would love for you to join us at the Europa Hotel on Friday 16^th October for what promises to be a special night, hosted by broadcasting legend, Pamela Ballantine, with music by The Professionals.

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, there is still limited time left to make sure you are at the best party in town! Book your tickets here or contact Dawn Cartmill on 02890 457 457.

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Springfield Road is their eighth store, which was purchased in September 2025. Following significant investment on an internal refit, the store reopened with a host of modern offerings and finishes, including new flooring, new shelving and new refrigeration.

In the next issue of NR, Gavan Wall details the work carried out and outlines the importance of creating these big, bright and welcoming stores for today’s discerning consumer.

Excitingly, this recently completed work marks phase one of a two-part investment to develop and overhaul the site, and to bring a top-of-the-range modern-day forecourt facility to the area.

Having purchased his first store – Landscape Filling Station on the Crumlin Road – back in 2008, Gavan has a wealth of experience in what his customers want and has a keen foresight on new and exciting initiatives he aims to introduce across his businesses.

Committed to benefiting areas with a wide range of offerings and services, he has seen how a shop can transform places.

“We are looking forward to phase two of the refurbishment which will redevelop the exterior of the store, including relocating pumps, new external imagery and increased car parking space for our shoppers’ convenience,” said Gavan.

You can read the full interview with Gavan in the next issue of Neighbourhood Retailer – coming soon!

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In a letter to Chancellor John Healey MP, the Fed’s National President outlined some of the key concerns for independent retailers across the UK.

The Budget is scheduled for Wednesday 28^th October. Hemanshu Patel had previously written to Mr Healey MP after he was appointed Chanceller by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the end of July.

In that letter a similar call for action on business rates, rising operating costs, including above inflation increases to the minimum wage, and retail crime was made. Mr Healey responded to that first letter, stating there was a “great amount to do during the coming months” and that he “looked forward to working with you to achieve our mutual goals”.

Among key concerns raised in Mr Patel’s latest letter are:

• Rogue trade and retail crime rates remain unacceptably high, despite a recent plateauing, with a call for continued investment in neighbourhood policing and ring-fenced resourcing for trading standards teams.
• A call to increase the employer National Insurance Contribution threshold above £5,000 to at least £7,000, as this will particularly help small shops boost employment for those on the margins of employment, such as part-timers and young staff members.
• The impact of business rate increases and losing out on Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) following the recent April revaluation, with a call on the government to increase the threshold for SBRR from its current base of 100% relief level of £12,000 per annum, to £18,000 or higher.
• Action on energy bills. The Fed’s budget submission also highlights how it is working with Sarah Edwards MP on the Trust and Transparency Charter campaign to create greater competition in the energy market.

Concluding the letter, Mr Patel wrote: “This remains a challenging time for our members and those across the independent convenience sector as they continue to face high taxation and high energy costs.

“Whilst the Fed acknowledges the fiscal challenges the government must deal with, we hope that the needs of small retail businesses – and the wider social and economic benefits they provide – are also factored into the decisions you will need to make in this Budget and beyond.”

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The colourful handheld wallets, made from recyclable materials, feature the sayings ‘Your lucky numbers at your finger tips!’ and ‘Go on… have a play!’ They will be dropped off with retailers during visits by Allwyn’s Retail Growth Executives over the coming weeks.

The limited-edition wallets are designed to hold a National Lottery FastPay card, meaning retailers can gift one to their loyal FastPay players. They can also surprise existing National Lottery customers who regularly use a play slip by converting them to a FastPay card along with a brand-new wallet for safekeeping.

FastPay offers a quick and easy way for customers to play National Lottery draw games, removing the need for them to fill in a play slip. Players’ chosen numbers or Lucky Dip® selection are saved on a printed FastPay card – which can store multiple lines, draw days and up to four weeks of play, helping drive repeat sales in store. Retailers then simply scan the card at the terminal to print tickets.

FastPay cards also bring additional benefits:

Lotto FastPay users spend, on average, 37% more than Lucky Dip players.

They also speed up transactions, helping minimise queues, and boost repeat play.

Allwyn’s Head of Field Sales, Karl Southworth said: “With the Powerball jackpot continuing to climb – currently estimated at £187m – our retail partners have a fantastic opportunity to remind players to ‘lock in their luck’ with a National Lottery FastPay card. And they can sweeten this deal even further by presenting customers with one of these brand-new wallets.

“We hope this free giveaway helps retailers raise awareness of National Lottery FastPay in their stores, as well as generate some chatter and fun with players. By the same token, there are also obvious benefits for retailers. FastPay customers play more frequently and generate more in sales, boosting commission and returns to Good Causes in the process.”

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