The convenience retailing event of the year was back at the wonderful Clayton on Burlington Road in Dublin on September, 19, and it was the most packed, enjoyed event of its prestigious history.
With a star line-up at this year’s conference, including headline speaker Jacob Schram, author of “The Essence of Business” and former president for Europe at Circle K and Keith Barry, brain-hack and illusionist providing insightful entertainment.
This year’s awards followed Ireland’s biggest retailing conference, held in the same location
Hosted by sensational Irish Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, the awards once again celebrated the finest convenience retailers from across Ireland.
Here are the winners and finalists from a plethora of venues across Ireland.
Forecourt Convenience Retailer of the year winner 2018
Winners, Creightons of Balmoral, L – R, Model Meagan Green; Andrew Porter, general manager for Creightons; platinum sponsor Andrew Shaw of Nestle Food Company and publisher Bill Penton.
Forecourt Convenience Store of the Year Category 1 – up to 1,750 sq. ft.
Winner Tobins of Letterkenny, L – R – Sponsor Derek O’Reilly of O’Reilly’s Confectionary, Eddie Tobin and Conor O’Dowd.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Kayleigh Hanlon and Yvonne Duffy of Maxol Ashlawn, Westport; John Hadneth, Maxol Glasheen Road; sponsor Derek O’Reilly; Lorraine McCarthy of Mooncoin Express, Kilkenny; Baz Wiebengla and Tom Ryan, Ryans Newport and David Barret, Dungarvan Auto Centre.
Best use of Category Management
Winners Oriel Service Station in Dundalk, L – R, Niall Clarke of Niall Clarke Oils; sponsor Ian McConville from BIC UK and Mel Lundy of Oriel Service Station.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R – Joel Connolly and Micheline McNamara of Oyster Service Station; sponsor Ian McConville; Richard Lusty of Lustys Centra Larne; Colm Mulrooney and Eamonn O’Meachair of Barack Obama Plaza.
Best Customer Service
Winner Sirio Newhall, L – R, Trevor O’Reilly; Sarah Corrigan and category sponsor Keith Flynn of Hale Vaping.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Alan Gilliland of Creightons on Finaghy; David Bridgette of Londis KCR; sponsor Keith Flynn; Mike Dolan of Dolan’s Services; Mark Cummins of Tipperary Town Plaza and Philip Larkin of Casey’s Topaz Londis Ballina.
Newcomer of the Year
Winner South Link Service Station, L – R, Brendon Scally of South Link Service Station with sponsor Lisa McGuinness from Mars.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Roy Dempsey of Dempsey’s Portarlington; Andrew Reck of Sirio Ballyvolane; Ciara Collins; Bronagh Hannah and Arron Potts of LMS Xpress.
Community Store of the Year
Winners Towey’s Spar Express and Top Oil in Ballaghderreen, L-R, sponsor Paul Thomas from the National Lottery with category winner Pat Towey.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Michael Kelly and Niamh Murphy of Candy’s Gala/Top Oil; Gregory Cochrane of Eurospar Knockchree; Adele Brown of Eurospar Carrick Milestone; Nigel Walker of Eurospar Hardford Link, Newtownards; Fiona Reilly; sponsor Paul Thomas; Daniel Hogan and Tom Ryan of Ryan’s Newport; Kevin O’Donnell and Janet Connolly of Glenties Service Station.
Training Initiative of the year
Winner, Maxol, L – R, Caroline Burton, sponsor Casey King from Tokheim and Siobhan Grimes.
Best Motorway Service Station
Winner, The Galway Plaza, L – R, Supermac’s owner Pat McDonagh, sponsor Thomas Morgan from Solv-X / Fifo, Angie Walsh, Brian Joyce, Jarlath O’Dwyer and Paul Kennedy.
Finalists
Finalists, L- R, Brian Dorgan of Circle K Fermoy; Mike Petyt of Circle K Ballacolla; sponsor Thomas Morgan and Colm Mulrooney and Eamonn O’Meachair of Barack Obama Plaza.
Forecourt Convenience Store of the Year Category 2 – 1,751 – 2,750 sq. ft.
Winner, Maxol Ballycoolin, L- R, Mark Long of Aramark; sponsor Bernie Mitchell of Smooch and Agnis Punculis.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Linda and Paul Dunne of Dunne’s Service Station; Edel O’Brien of O’Briens Centra; sponsor Bernie Mitchell; Joanna Masiarek and Liam Boyd of M3 Mulhuddart and Paudie Byrne of Tipperary Town Plaza.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner Chris O’Callaghan (L) pictured with sponsor Owen Clifford from Bank of Ireland (R).
Forecourt Convenience Store of the Year Category 3 – 2751 sq. ft. plus
Winners Creighton’s of Balmoral, L – R, Sponsor Glenn McCracken from Quorn Foods; Andrew Porter and Michael Smith from Creighton’s.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Norman Bennett of Dobbin Road Service Station; Donald O’Neil and Briege O’Kane of Sirio Newhall; sponsor Glenn McCracken , Brendon Scally of South Link Service Station; Conor McElligott of Texaco Spar Fermoy and Brian Joyce of The Galway Plaza.
Best site with a Licence to sell Alcohol
Winners Mallow N20 Plaza, L – R, Publisher Bill Penton; Sponsor Lauren West from Heineken and winner Jarlath O’Dwyer.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Sarah Flynn of McDermott’s Service Station, Francis O’Leary of Maxol Spar – Conways; Shauna Kelly and Sean Reihill of Lillys Centra Drumlyon; sponsor Lauren West; Eddie McKee and Katie McAvoy of Milestone Rathfriland; John Mulroy of Mulroys Castlebar and John McDermott of McDermott’s Service Station.
Store Manager of the year
Winner Brian Joyce of the Galway Plaza, L – R, Sponsor Dessie Aughey of Air Service Limited with winner Brian Joyce.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Declan Watson of Watson’s Centra Portaferry; Noel Hadden of Milestone Rathfriland; Lisa Kenny of Applegreen Enniscorthy; sponsor Dessie Aughey; Aidan Hennigan of Caseys Londis; Paudie Byrne of Tipperary Town Plaza and Andrew Boyl of Dungarvan Auto Centre Ltd.
Best Oil Company Initiative
Winner Circle K, L – R, Peter O’Connor, sponsor Michael Conroy from Costa Express; Noel Darcy; Niall Anderton; Fergal Egan; Jonathan Diver and Peter Davidson.
Finalists
Finalists, L- R, Caroline Burton of Maxol; sponsor Michael Conroy and John Hurley of Emo Express 24/7 Aldergrove, Airport Services
Fresh Food Store
Winners Milestone Service Station, Rathfriland, L-R, Peter Cahill; sponsor Briege Finnegan from Moy Park; Will Owens and Sarah Snowden.
Finalists
Finalists, L-R, Cathal and Grainne Talty of Talty’s Service Station; Deirdre Stonehan of Sirio Tomnalossett; Sarah Corrigan of Sirio Newhall; sponsor Briege Finnegan; Gareth McGettrick of Oriel Service Station; Adrian Wilson and Steven Swift of Swifts Eurospar and Star Filling Station; Donal O’Grady of O’Grady’s Service Station; Brian and Helen O’Sullivan of O’Sullivan’s Service Station.
Best Forecourt Facilities
Winners the Galway Plaza, L-R, Jarlath O’Dwyer; Pat McDonagh; Paul Murphy from Irish Prestige Signs; Angie Walsh; Brian Joyce and Paul Kennedy.
Finalists
Finalists, L – R, Agnis Punculis of Maxol Ballycoolin; Michael O’ Sullivan of Amber Fermoy; Terry McCullagh and Ryan McSorley of McCullagh’s Spar; sponsor Paul Murphy; Colm Mulrooney and Eamonn O’Meachair of Barack Obama Plaza; Janet O’Connelly and Kevin O’Donal of Glenties Services.
Best Food-To-Go
Winners, Creighton’s of Balmoral, L – R, Elaine Williams and Carrie Sloan; Andrew Shaw representing platinum sponsor Nestle Food Company and category sponsor Sean Cunningham from Kepak.
Finalists
Finalists, L- R, Cathal Grant and Megan McAvoy Milestone Rathfriland; sponsor Sean Cunningham; Terry McCullagh and Ryan McSorley of McCullagh’s Spar.
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