Popular family neighbourhood store reopens larger after £2m refurbishment

Conor McKibbin, owner of Brennan’s Spar, has traded in the County Down town of Seaforde since 2008 and has marked its reopening after a £2 million investment to expand it and provide even more for the local area.

The refurbishment, supported by Ulster Bank, has created an extension to the store, not only doubling the size of the fresh food offering but also creating 10 new jobs for the local area.

Gemma Kearney, who has been managing Brennan’s for the past 17 years, says their shoppers’ needs were in mind when thinking about the expansion, allowing them to deliver even more value throughout their new food and coffee to go, and their fresh and locally sourced products.

Gemma said: “Not only has our fresh food offering doubled, but our entire range of groceries throughout the store has extended to bring fantastic choice for now and for later and better yet, we have introduced even more price cuts to bring additional value to our shoppers. Services have also expanded, with the Post Office now available at our checkouts from 8am-8pm, every day , bringing even more convenience to the area.”

The Brennan’s Ice Cream counter is complemented by a new look Brennan’s Deli and comfortable new Seating area, all under the Brennan’s brand and offering breakfast, lunch and an all-new range of shakes to sit in with or to go.

The significant investment in the expansion and roll out of new services under one roof is a major milestone for the retailer, which has been trading under the Spar brand for 17 years.

Paddy Doody, sales and marketing director for the Henderson Group, which owns Spar in Northern Ireland, says it’s a fantastic example of a long-serving retailer upgrading to provide the best services to meet the changing demands from their local shoppers.

Doody said: “We’ve worked closely with the team at Brennan’s to upgrade their business to meet the demand from local shoppers for a store that can provide everything they need under one roof. That varies from meal solutions for tonight’s tea to grabbing something on the go from the new deli counter, and essential service upgrades to the Post Office and the fuel offering.”