Omagh retailer scoops retailing awards

Peter McBride of McBride’s Spar in Omagh has taken top honours at the prestigious 2001 Neighbourhood Retailing Awards gala dinner in Belfast’s Europa Hotel.

Mr McBride, whose store is in the town’s Gortin Road, was named Retailer of the Year in the NIE sponsored category and also accepted the Symbol Store of the Year Category II title sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline.

Converted from a car showroom within the last two years, his store impressed the judges with the overall high standards of service and evident enthusiasm from the staff they encountered. Mr McBride, who has been in the grocery business for 13 years, operates a number of stores and believes the success of his business is down to the relationship they have built with the local community and the quality of people employed.

The awards, which are designed to reward levels of professionalism, commitment and ambition in this dynamic sector of the local economy, were awarded in thirteen categories. Each store went through an extensive judging process organised by Spotcheck, the mystery shopping company. (MB)