Three wins for Fiveways

Helen Meehan, Ryan McCabe, and Deirbhle O’Brien pictured with the Deli of the Year, Neighbourhood Store Category 4, and Retailer of the Year awards.

Fiveways Nisa Extra in Newry picked up an impressive three awards, including the overall Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year prize, at Friday evening’s Neighbourhood Retailer Awards.

The event, hosted by king of the catchphrase Roy Walker, saw almost 500 NI retailers descend on the Ramada Plaza in Belfast for the glittering contest.

Fiveways took home the Deli of the Year and Neighbourhood Store of the Year Category 4 trophies, as well as the coveted overall prize.

The 2016 awards was among the biggest in its 18 year history, and saw the launch of a new category – Community Store of the Year. Sponsored by Q Radio, it is the first category to have been decided by public vote.

The leading NI radio channel sent along mobile studio, the Q Superbus, to broadcast live from the event, while flagship host, Stephen Clements, presented the Community Store of the Year award on stage.

After receiving over 7,000 votes from the public, the inaugural winner of the award was Crawford’s of Maghera, with the announcement causing scenes of jubilation among the store’s staff.

Also receiving a special award on the night was William Brown, owner of Arcadia Delicatessen in Belfast. William, who turned 70 this year, took home the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaking to Neighbourhood Retailer, William’s daughter-in-law Laura Brown said the award had come as major shock to the respected retailer.

“William was gobsmacked to say the least and it will really be a night to live long in the memory of our family,” she said.