Garvey's Centra Newcastlewest was awarded the prestigious title of ‘National Centra Store of the Year’ for 2024, being officially recognised as the top Centra in Ireland. This recognition was awarded at the Pride of Centra awards, Centra’s national award ceremony, celebrating the exceptional standards of the world-class convenience brand. Alongside 19 other finalist stores selected from over 490 Centra locations across Ireland, Garvey's Centra Newcastlewest, was shortlisted for the much-coveted accolade at the Pride of Centra Awards, which was held in the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on the 6th of November. The Pride of Centra awards recognise and celebrate the best of Centra stores, its people and exemplary retail excellence.
Garvey's Centra Newcastlewest edged out competing Centra stores from all over Ireland, with those shortlisted being audited and adjudicated by independent competition judge and retail consultant, Dr. Alan Collins. The ‘Store of the Year’ award, sponsored by Three, was determined based on store audits that focused on product range and quality, customer service, store presentation and innovation, fresh food offering, store hygiene standards, and sustainability.
This award celebrates the remarkable commitment to excellence consistently demonstrated by the team at Garvey’s Centra Newcastlewest. Throughout the judging process, the team’s dedication to high standards and their innovative approach in the food-to-go section stood out. Following a major revamp in 2023, the store broadened its selection of top-quality offerings in the Deli and Bakery to better serve the local community. To enhance the customer experience, the store introduced a more seamless shopping experience, featuring an expanded food-to-go range paired with quicker transactions at self-scan checkouts.
A spacious, modern Off-License enhances these improvements, as well as popular additions like a Moo’d ice cream counter and Frank and Honest Coffee station transforming the store into a favourite destination for all ages.
Garvey’s Centra Newcastlewest is also devoted to fostering a sustainable shopping experience for the community. This recent revamp emphasised eco-friendly practices, including upgraded refrigeration and equipment that support the store’s move toward a greener future. These advancements highlight the store’s commitment to environmental stewardship, extending its positive impact beyond its walls to contribute to a greener future for generations to come.
This award acknowledges the hard work, skill, and passion of the entire in-store team. Judges commended the team’s exceptional customer service, warmth, and the positive atmosphere they create—qualities that remain at the core of the store’s ongoing success.
Within the Store of the Year category, Garvey’s Centra Newcastlewest was also awarded Store of the Year in the Hi-Convenience category. Other winners on the night included Jordan’s Centra Caragh Village winning Store of the Year in the Convenience category and Cosgrove’s Centra Maugheraboy winning Store of the Year in the Neighbourhood category.
Other award winners on the night across the People and Excellence awards included the ‘Rising Star’ award going to Erin Williams from Wright’s Centra UCD and Centra’s ‘Best Deli’ counter awarded to Lee’s Centra Limerick Road. The Overall Off-Licence of the Year award, sponsored by Diageo, was awarded to Dunne’s Centra Stamullen.
Commenting on the award ceremony, Luke Hanlon, Managing Director of Centra said: "As Ireland's leading convenience retailer, with a dedicated team of approximately 12,000 employees across over 490 stores nationwide, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable individuals and teams who bring Centra to life, every day in every community. These are the people who embody our values and play a crucial role in telling our story, ensuring that each Centra store feels like a vital part of the town it serves. Congratulations to store manager Margaret Ryan and the team at Garvey's Centra Newcastlewest for winning Centra Store of the Year 2024; this accolade is a testament to the outstanding standards, commitment, and service they offer to the Newcastlewest community every day. Independently audited and awarded through a highly competitive process, this achievement is a true mark of excellence within the convenience retail industry. Well done to everyone involved!"
Cormac Dawson, Sales Director, Centra, commented on the award categories: The awards fall into four categories, the ‘People’ category, which celebrates those who go above and beyond – like our Length of Service honourees and our Employee of the Year. ‘Food Safety’, celebrating champions of quality and care. Then, there’s the ‘Excellence’ category. This shines a light on the stores that truly bring the best of Centra to life, whether it's through Deli, Moo’d ice cream, Bakery, Off Licence, or Local Activations. These stores showcase our commitment to quality and variety. And finally, the ‘Store of the Year’ award celebrates the stores that set the standard for what convenience retailing should be, delivering an outstanding experience to our customers day in and day out. Congratulations to everyone involved – your dedication makes Centra a valued part of communities across Ireland."
