Representing community retailing at its finest, The Wall Group, founded by Gavan and his wife, Helen, has established itself as a top-of-the-range retail group providing a fresh, modern retail experience.

The reopening of their Springfield Road store – their eighth site – follows on from their purchase of the store in September 2025 and subsequent investment of £1 million on an internal refit. A further £2 million will follow on redeveloping the forecourt and external amenity in the coming months.

The EUROSPAR store stands at almost 6000 sq ft and has been through a complete overhaul, with a new ceiling with linear lighting, new flooring, new shelving and new refrigeration all incorporated. As Gavan Wall told NR, the creation of a modern store is an important factor for today’s consumers.

“We purchased it in September 2025, it was a good quality site but I believed it was a sleeping giant and that it had big potential,” said Gavan.

“We introduced our own Wall’s Foodhall & Butchery, it is our own in-house brand. We have a brand-new deli with a new Subway counter and we moved the tills to the other side of the shop to create better flow.

“I believe we also have the widest first aisle in the country, with lower-level table displays and a wider gangway. This transforms the customer experience! We have totally changed everything inside entirely.”

The site also has a forecourt, which Gavan explained is a “small, cramped site” but he is passionate about redeveloping this and creating an exciting forecourt facility – phase two of the redevelopment plan.

“I had a dilemma about which to do first, as we wanted to do both the shop and the forecourt, however with planning permission required for the forecourt, I ultimately completed the internal refurb first and went through the planning process for the forecourt at the same time,” said Gavan.

“When you spend £1 million these days when margins are so tight, if you do not get the uplift, you are in trouble. I had to be really on top of the planning permission for the external work, but it’s looking like things are moving in the right direction.”

The refurbished store boasts everyday essentials, own-brand fresh ranges, an increased selection of SPAR Bakery and local suppliers as well as increased offerings of both dairy and fresh produce. There store also operates an off licence, a Barista Bar coffee machine and an internal and external ATM.

A key differential for the store is its increased opening hours, now operating on a 24-hour basis, with an open-door policy.

“This does bring its risks, but we have also been doing this at our Landscape Filling Station site,” said Gavan.

“We get night-time deliveries and have full-time staff on with headsets and someone on the floor, so there is nobody on their own. We are near the Royal Victoria Hospital and have noticed a lot of the night-shift workers coming in and they have been very pleased they are able to come into the shop and get what they need during the night.”

Gavan added they have also noted a lot of customers come to purchase their fuel at night, when the forecourt is quieter.

“We have tried to keep the fuel as competitive as we can price-wise and currently have pre-pay pumps. Our new forecourt will make such a difference for us, people have no idea the impact it will have. I have seen what we can do when we transform something like this. It’s really exciting for me and the whole team,” added Gavan.

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.

READ THE FULL FEATURE ON THE WALL GROUP’S SPRINGFIELD ROAD STORE IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER HERE

The post The Wall Group – catalysts for change first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The last 12 months have seen a number of new faces across the Henderson Group, a changing of the guard, largely replacing retiring positions and supporting new roles.

Noel Hegarty is the new MD of Henderson Wholesale, overseeing the independent retail arm of the company and taking over from Martin Agnew, who is now Joint Executive Chair of the Group alongside Geoffrey Agnew.

Having joined the company in March this year, Noel’s early days and weeks have been spent immersing himself in getting to know the business, meeting those behind the scenes and getting to grips with the inner workings of Henderson Wholesale. He told NR that his previous experience was key in helping him step into his new role.

“I’ve just completed 12 years at Monaghan Mushrooms, having spent 20 years prior to that working for Kellogg’s. The combined experience of both roles has been really beneficial for my new venture at Henderson Group,” said Noel.

“Monaghan Mushrooms, like Henderson Group, is also a family-owned business, so it’s great having that experience, valuing multi-generational involvement and vision setting for a business. And, of course, Monaghan Mushrooms is a fresh produce business, experience relevant to Henderson Group, with fresh making up more than 50% of the range in EUROSPAR and SPAR today, combined with an important branded goods assortment,” added Noel.

“This is an incredibly successful local business, so I’m looking forward to building on the success and heritage delivered by Martin and the team to date.

“The Henderson family believes passionately in its people, so I’m delighted to be part of forming a new team, combining existing colleagues and some new faces, to drive future growth.”

Noel’s introduction to Henderson Group comes amidst other key changes at the top of the company; former Retail Director Mark McCammond moved into the Henderson Retail MD role in May last year, with George Rankin succeeding him as Retail Director; former Musgrave Directors, Desi Derby and Julie Cherry have joined the business as the new Group Marketing Director and Food Solutions Director, respectively, while Richard Ash, who spent 14 years at Marks & Spencer, has taken on the Sales Director Role.

“As he handed over the reins, Martin’s advice was to take the time to learn about the business, get to know the team, spend quality time with our customers and shoppers, that’s been time well spent. Of course, having a phased handover with Martin has afforded me the opportunity to do that, something I’m really grateful for,” said Noel.

Originally from Moneymore, Noel and his wife have lived in Saval, outside Newry, for the last 25 years. Having moved around a lot in his previous employment, he spent quite a bit of time doing international roles in Russia, Italy and in the Middle East, an experience he said which has allowed him to observe different eating habits and see how different categories are at different stages in their journeys.

“When I joined this business, what I didn’t fully appreciate was the size of the global SPAR family and the way in which that wider family works together, for example, in providing access to an extensive range of quality own-brand products,” said Noel.

“I was particularly lucky that the 69^th International SPAR Congress was held in Northern Ireland in May this year, and that was an incredible opportunity to meet people from the broader SPAR network and also to showcase how the Henderson Group has built and embedded the SPAR brand in local communities here.

“Although SPAR is a global brand, now in over 50 countries with 13,500 stores, its ability to act local makes the brand really special.”

And it is this emphasis on local that Noel wants to keep a focus on.

“Over 75% of our fresh range is local, sourced from over 190 local suppliers. Our supplier relationships are extremely important, the business is built on long-term partnership, so we have to continue to work together collaboratively and transparently to deliver the best quality, competitively priced.

“Returning to the strength of the SPAR network, we’ve recently been able to launch a broader range of over 150 own-brand products, many of which are sourced from local suppliers.

“Own-brand penetration in Northern Ireland is around 45%, as shoppers look for quality affordable alternatives. And with the SPAR brand, shoppers can switch & save up to 30% vs. the branded equivalent. Awareness of our Mega Deals is also really encouraging, a critical component of our value strategy, aimed at providing market-beating value to our shoppers.

“But it’s not all about price, we work to differentiate our product mix with new and exciting options, particularly around food-for-now and food-for later.”

For Noel, stepping into this role along with new directors presents a significant opportunity to combine the huge wealth of heritage there is within the business, while bringing a fresh perspective – describing it as a “unique opportunity to amalgamate different experiences and fresh thinking”.

“It’s very much about building upon the legacy that has been created for us”, said Noel. “We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to do that.

“With all the talk of change, it’s important to mention there is a lot which hasn’t changed, in particular, our relentless focus on the shopper and commitment to retailer partnerships. And as a new team, we are honoured to be custodians of the new charge, and to drive that forward.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH NOEL HEGARTY IN THE AUGUST-SEPTEMBER ISSUE HERE

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The application was submitted at the start of April for the construction of two retail units and one hot food unit, petrol filling station, bulk fuels and associated access and parking on behalf of Henderson Group Property.

Representing an investment of approximately £5.3 million, the proposal is for the construction of a local centre comprising one main retail unit with a gross floorspace of 723 sqm, of which 442 sqm is net retail floorspace; one retail unit with a gross floorspace of 90 sqm; one hot food unit with a gross floorspace of 90 sqm; a petrol forecourt with three pump islands; two EV charging spaces and an air/water/vacuum facility.

The planning, design and access statement included with the application stated that the store would be a new EUROSPAR, with 46 jobs to be created; 29 full-time and 17 part-time.

The statement added that there would be additional employment and related salaries associated with the other retail and hot food units, while the development would also support a range of local suppliers and the development itself would support construction jobs.

The site, located at the junction of Ballyclare Relief Road and Readers Park, would have a single access/egress onto the link road, while 82 car parking spaces are proposed, including four accessibility and parent & child spaces.

It was submitted that there is an “indisputable quantitative need” for the proposed filling station and associated retail units, driven by a “substantial housing development”.

RESPONSES RECEIVED

However, to date over 100 objections have been lodged to the proposal with a central theme showing concerns over increased traffic at a residential development where children live and play, with others stating there is no need for another filling station and shop within close proximity to other new and existing sites.

Neighbours have been notified and consulted on the application, with dozens of objections received stating that the ‘size and nature of the development seem inappropriate’.

A local MLA has also formally objected to the application, stating he has ‘significant concerns regarding the appropriateness of this development in the proposed location and its likely adverse impacts on the surrounding community and wider area’.

He stated that primary concerns centred on traffic generation and road safety, with the ‘proximity of the site to established residential properties means that the scale and intensity of the proposed development would result in a significant reduction in residential amenity’.

Additionally, concerns regarding the environmental impacts of the proposal as well as flooding and drainage were raised, while the MLA noted ‘strong community opposition’ to the proposal, with ‘residents expressing clear and sustained concerns regarding its scale, location, and anticipated impacts’.

Meanwhile, responses from statutory bodies have also been received, with DfI Roads stating that the access for the proposed local amenity should be “provided of either Jubilee Road or Readers Crescent but that no through road should be formed as this would lead to Rat Run’.”

Within the retail assessment supplied, the applicant stated the proposed local centre would ‘not be detrimental to the trade of existing retail centres, notably Ballyclare Town Centre, and other shops in the catchment’.

They added that the development of a local centre in this area has been a ‘longstanding integral feature of the major urban extension of Ballyclare since its planned conception’; with the positive planning history pertaining to this site ‘further vindication of the need for the proposal, in meeting local shopping requirements of the burgeoning population in this part of Ballyclare’.

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The brand will once again have a huge presence at the Show for 2026 with their on-site SPAR store packed full of everyday essentials, alongside a fresh range of sandwiches and wraps, treats and Barista Bar coffee to go.

The Big Red Stetsons are also making their return, with thousands of hats available for visitors to wear throughout the Show and take home, by donating to Marie Curie and Cancer Fund for Children at the SPAR Marquee.

Visitors can also experience a free family fun trail around the Showgrounds, and enjoy the mini Land Rover experience, proudly sponsored by SPAR NI, while closing out the Show on Saturday afternoon, Rock Choir will sing from the SPAR Marquee and store at 2.30pm.

Bringing the flavour to the Show are the all new SPAR NI locally produced own label products that will be available for visitors to sample, all freshly served up by Carl Johannesson, the chef behind the label.

Visitors can look forward to tasting locally sourced salt & chilli sizzle steaks, perfectly crispy chicken, fresh summer sides and inspiring meal ideas from Carl. The SPAR range also offers a range of desserts, traybakes, buns and puddings, all of which can be sampled at the Show to finish with something sweet.

The products are part of a £1.3m investment by Henderson Wholesale, which supplies SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO, working with hundreds of local farmers and suppliers to bring their produce to life.

Bronagh Henderson from SPAR said:“We can’t wait to be back at Balmoral Show this year, bringing a host of fun at our SPAR Marquee, alongside plenty of samples of our new ranges under the SPAR brand.

“The fresh and local range showcases the best of local sourcing from across the island of Ireland, and there is no better place for shoppers to get a first taste of the products than at Balmoral Show.

“Over the years, we have invested multiple millions of pounds in our rich landscape of local producers, farmers and suppliers, creating must-have products that bring choice and value to our shelves.”

In total, the new-look SPAR range will span across fresh eggs, milk, butter, meat, cheese, pizza, deli products and breads, alongside ambient products including preserves and spreads, biscuits, grains, tinned products, pasta, sweets and crisps.

“Our in-house team of cooks, led by Carl Johannesson, will also continue to produce high quality products for the new premium SPAR NI range, which includes Our Ultimate Beef Lasagne,” added Bronagh.

The new range of SPAR NI products are available now in SPAR and EUROSPAR stores across NI. For more, visit spar-ni.co.uk

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And it was a double celebration at the charity’s therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge, as the retailer celebrated 15 years of the charity partnership, which was formed in 2011 and has become the longest running for both the charity and Henderson Group which owns the brands in Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the event, Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director at Henderson Group, which owns the brands in Northern Ireland said this partnership was unique and showed true passion and dedication from each and every retailer, staff member and shopper who gave their time, energy and donations over the years.

“Reaching this incredible milestone, just six years after reaching the one-million-pound target, speaks to the commitment of our EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA retailers, teams and shoppers, who have made the Cancer Fund for Children partnership part of their daily life in-store,” said Paddy.

“Many retailers have their own reasons for supporting this incredibly deserving charity, many know families who have had to navigate a cancer journey, yet no matter the reason, they all want to make an impact and use their network to do great things.

“We are very proud of the longevity of this partnership. It is quite rare to have a corporate fundraising partnership that has continued for 15 years, however it shows that measurable and lasting change means so much more than short term wins for all involved, most of all Cancer Fund for Children.”

Keith Orr was diagnosed with gastric cancer in December 2023. Husband to Anne and father to Gareth (20) and Daisy (17), Keith sadly died in August 2024, just eight months after his diagnosis. Anne says the support provided to Daisy throughout Keith’s treatment and following their bereavement was “invaluable”.

“Our Cancer Support Specialist Paul supported Daisy at home during Keith’s last months,” said Anne.

“Paul’s sessions were an incredible support to Daisy, and Paul always made time to support me too. Daisy completed Cancer Fund for Children’s ‘Say Their Name’ programme, which provides group support to children bereaved of a parent, and as a mum, knowing she has been guided in how to process her grief has been invaluable.

“The support we have received as a family has encouraged us to talk openly about our grief and given us space to share Keith’s story with pride. Thank you to everyone at EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA for helping Cancer Fund for Children walk alongside families like ours.”

Phil Alexander, CEO at Cancer Fund for Children added: “The Orr family are one of thousands of families that our charity has supported over the years, support that simply wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our corporate partners. We are blown away to reach this incredible fundraising milestone with EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA and it’s a pleasure to have Anne and Daisy share their experience of support in recognition of the impact these vital funds have had.

“Our partnership with EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA has created incredible opportunities for Cancer Fund for Children to provide vital services to families coping with a cancer diagnosis, as well as those experiencing bereavement. When our partners care as deeply about this support as we do, it creates the most powerful partnerships. We look forward to continued collaboration with their retailers, their teams and all their generous shoppers in the years ahead.”

As part of the celebration event, a new Enchanted Daisy Trail was unveiled, an all-new guided trail in the gardens of Daisy Lodge, which brings additional activities for young people to enjoy during their stay or visit to Daisy Lodge.

Jordana Stoney-Wilson, Partnership and Philanthropy Executive at Cancer Fund for Children said: “The enchanted fairy trail offers young people a safe and imaginative escape from the real world, somewhere that feels magical rather than medical. The trail has several touchpoints which will encourage mindfulness and calm and offer families shared moments of joy and connection.

“That can mean everything when your world has been turned upside down with treatments and hospital visits. We are so grateful for the support of every person who has supported this partnership, which not only funds short breaks here at Daisy Lodge, but also allows our charity to provide vital support to families across Northern Ireland in hospital and in the community, ensuring no child faces cancer alone.”

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