Major investment pays dividends for Carrickfergus stores with national awards

Two Carrickfergus stores are celebrating success after picking up UK-wide industry awards.
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At the Retail Industry Awards, Eurospar Victoria Road picked up the company-owned award for Post Office Retailer of the Year.

Judges were impressed by the impact of last year’s £2million investment at the Victoria Road site.

“A massive investment has resulted in a massive improvement in footfall and profitability. But a great deal of thought has accompanied the investment and the seamless integration of the Post Office with the mainstream operation of the store,” judges commented.

Laura McClean (centre) from Henderson Group picks up the Post Office Retailer of the Year Award for Eurospar Victoria Road at the Retail Industry Awards in London. Also pictured is Kim Reddick, commercial director at the Retail Industry Awards and host Alex Brooker.Laura McClean (centre) from Henderson Group picks up the Post Office Retailer of the Year Award for Eurospar Victoria Road at the Retail Industry Awards in London. Also pictured is Kim Reddick, commercial director at the Retail Industry Awards and host Alex Brooker.
Laura McClean (centre) from Henderson Group picks up the Post Office Retailer of the Year Award for Eurospar Victoria Road at the Retail Industry Awards in London. Also pictured is Kim Reddick, commercial director at the Retail Industry Awards and host Alex Brooker.

At the Forecourt Trader Awards, Spar Fortfield won the Best Coffee and Hot Beverage Outlet.

Meanwhile, parent company, Henderson Retail, operating in Mallusk, was highly commended in the Food-to-Go Retailer of the Year company-owned category at the Retail Industry Awards.

Mark McCammond, retail director at Henderson Group commented; “As an essential service for the local area, the Post Office relocation was top of our priorities in the refurbishment of Eurospar Victoria Road. Complementary to that is the standard of services and products available in the store side of the business which has helped us boost footfall and sales.

“Spar Fortfield not only offers the refreshed Barista Bar brand, but is also home to the first Barista Bar café in Northern Ireland, where well-trained baristas pull espresso shots made to order. The store was built as a food-to-go concept store in 2018, serving the many arterial routes surrounding the area where footfall for breakfast, lunch and hot drinks on the go was in high demand.

Adrian Mellon, store manager at Spar Fortfield (centre), receiving the award for Best Coffee and Hot Beverage Outlet at the 2021 Forecourt Trader Awards. Also pictured is Daniel Eversfield from The Forecourt Show and host, Anton de Beke.Adrian Mellon, store manager at Spar Fortfield (centre), receiving the award for Best Coffee and Hot Beverage Outlet at the 2021 Forecourt Trader Awards. Also pictured is Daniel Eversfield from The Forecourt Show and host, Anton de Beke.
Adrian Mellon, store manager at Spar Fortfield (centre), receiving the award for Best Coffee and Hot Beverage Outlet at the 2021 Forecourt Trader Awards. Also pictured is Daniel Eversfield from The Forecourt Show and host, Anton de Beke.

“There is a huge amount of competition in the area from big brands specialising in takeaway services, however our offering has gone above and beyond, with a driving force to serve the community – and those passing through – with the highest standard of coffee, hot drinks and food for now.”

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Click here to read: Carrick Business Excellence Awards launched for 2021

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