‘Family is at the heart of everything we do’: Inside a Northern Ireland family's four-store Centra success story

For nearly two decades, my family and I have been at the heart of local communities across Belfast and Lisburn.

When I look at the four Centra stores we operate today, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come from where we started. Retail wasn’t always my plan, but it very quickly became my passion — and that passion has only grown stronger because of the people and communities we serve every single day.

I originally worked in the print industry, moving between different roles including sales, which was a tough environment. Eighteen years ago, I reached a turning point. I’d always been interested in business, and when the opportunity came along in 2007 to open my first MACE store on Longstone Street in Lisburn, I jumped at it. I didn’t know exactly what lay ahead, but I knew I wanted to try something different, something that would allow me to build a business rooted in community.

That first shop was where everything began. From there, we worked hard, learned fast, and gradually grew. Today, we operate four stores: Longstone Street and Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn, and Lisburn Road and Bradbury Place in Belfast. Each one has its own personality, its own customer base, and its own role within the community — but what connects them all is our family.

Family really is at the centre of everything we do. My partner Pamela, my son Dylan and daughters Kirsten and Molly all play active roles in the business. Two of my great nephews also work part-time while still in school. Having so many family members on the shop floors, serving customers and supporting the team, creates a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere. It’s something customers feel the moment they walk through the door. To us, the stores aren’t just businesses — they’re extensions of our family home.

Our wider team is every bit as important. We started with just a handful of employees, and now around 70 people work across our stores. They are the first faces customers see each morning, and the friendly voices regulars recognise. You can’t run a successful shop without a strong team behind you, and I couldn’t be prouder of ours. Their dedication is a huge part of why our business has grown the way it has.

We’ve also had fantastic support from Musgrave since day one. The partnership has been invaluable, helping us improve, modernise and keep standards high. We’re now taking it a step further with significant investment in refurbishments that will enhance the customer experience across all stores. It’s important to us that our shops don’t just meet expectations — they exceed them.

Community involvement is at the heart of our ethos. Over the years we’ve supported countless local initiatives, from donating goods to community groups and school sports days to sponsoring football kits for local teams. It’s something we believe in wholeheartedly. Our customers are our neighbours. Our staff live locally. These are the people who support our business every day, and giving back is the least we can do. One of our proudest achievements was being named Best Community Store — recognition that truly reflects what matters most to us.

Of course, like every retailer, we’ve faced challenges. The pandemic forced the temporary closure of some of our stores, which was extremely difficult for both our business and our team. Rising costs, including National Insurance contributions, added further pressure. Not everything has been easy or straightforward, but what’s kept us going is our commitment to the communities we serve. This is where we’ve built our business and our lives, and we’re not going anywhere.

Looking ahead, our vision is clear: continued investment, innovation and deepening our engagement with the people who walk through our doors. Retail is changing — customer expectations are evolving, and we want to stay ahead of the curve. That means modern, welcoming spaces, even better customer service, and a continued focus on the values that have brought us this far.

We’re excited for what’s next. With refurbishment plans underway and our partnership with Musgrave stronger than ever, the future feels full of opportunity. No matter how much we grow or adapt, one thing will never change: our commitment to the communities that have supported us for nearly 20 years. They are the reason we get up every morning and the reason we love what we do.

And that, more than anything else, is what keeps me passionate about retail.