Supporting our community during challenging times

AFTER a challenging year for everyone, Centra Curr Road celebrated one year in business recently. Since opening in November 2019, the store has gone from strength-to-strength supporting both the local community and commuters throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Well-positioned on a busy commuter route, the newly transformed 3,500 sq ft store supports 30 jobs in the local area.

Reflecting on her first year in business, store owner Naomi Curry was quick to thank her customers. “We have had amazing support from the local community and have developed friendships with all our customers and businesses. The pandemic has been such a difficult time for many so to be able to support our community at a time when they need us most is important to both myself and the wider team.”

The bright and contemporary store gives customers an expanded food-to-go offering with hot and cold food deli counters, a Parlour 64 ice-cream counter and Frank & Honest coffee – Ireland’s largest on-the-go gourmet coffee brand. The extensive range can all be enjoyed at a dedicated seating area, complete with WiFi and USB charging ports. Additional amenities at Centra Curr Road include an off licence, toilet facilities, HGV parking and an EMO forecourt.

Naomi has always had an interest in retail and the opportunity at Curr Road was the perfect fit. She said, “From a young age, I worked at a forecourt site and have always enjoyed the world of property and retail. We could see the potential in Curr Road and had a vision for the potential the site could offer to both our local community and the transient customer. Bringing on board a team of people with the right expertise enabled the project to move forward in the right direction.”

The partnership with the Centra brand, part of the Musgrave retail group, has proved highly successful. Nigel Maxwell, sales director of Centra in Northern Ireland, congratulated Naomi and her team on a successful first year business.

“We are delighted to be working with Naomi and the wider team at Curr Road,” he said. “At Centra, our focus is on redefining convenience – providing our shoppers with a healthier offering and innovative ranges, particularly in foodto go and our Frank and Honest coffee brand. To operate so well during what has been a challenging year for retail is testament to the great team in place at Curr Road.”

Looking to the future, Naomi Curry points to the strength of her team and also a desire to continue to develop. “So far, Centra Curr Road has been an amazing venture from start to finish and we are excited about what the future holds,” she remarked. “I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our customers who continue to support us. I can’t look back on the last year and not commend the dedication and hard work of my own team in store – serving our local community each day and stepping up when it was needed most.”

• For more information on Centra stores in Northern Ireland, visit www.centra.co.uk

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