'We can’t wait to see what’s to come for this store': Experienced Northern Ireland retailers transform Nearby Convenience store to new Spar

A new Spar has officially opened its doors in Londonderry, following a significant investment by local retailers Alwyn and Roberta Curry.

Located on Point Road, the Spar Culmore store has been transformed from a former Nearby Convenience outlet, which had operated on the site for the past three years. Following a major refurbishment, the new-look store has created five new jobs while retaining five existing staff members.

The Curry family are experienced retailers, also owning and operating three other Spar stores in the Londonderry area; Spar Ballynagard Road, Spar Church Brae and Spar Church Meadows.  

The new store provides the local area with the highest quality products and services including a Morelli’s ice cream counter, Barista Bar coffee and treats to go, Curry’s pre-pack quality butchery products, Paypoint, Lottery and Collect + parcel services. The new store will also soon introduce a Curry’s Deli counter serving breakfast and lunch for those on the go and will create a further four new jobs for the area.

The store also features a Spar Bakery concession serving sweet treats daily and baked goods from Curry’s own brand and local suppliers including McDaid’s Bakery.  

The Curry family are central to their local community in their other three Derry based SPAR stores and plan to continue this in their new Culmore store, with plans underway for many community events throughout the year. The store team also plan to begin fundraising towards the installation of a defibrillator outside the store.  

Alwyn explained: “We’re delighted to officially open the doors of our new store. We have put so much time and made a significant investment to enable us to provide more convenient services for the local community, increase our product range and create new jobs for the local area.  

“Being central to our local communities is so important to us, and we can’t wait to get stuck into providing sponsorships and support of local sports teams, community events and initiatives here in Culmore and really get to know our customers at the new store. We look forward to many years of Spar Culmore Point Road, and we can’t wait to see what’s to come for this store.”  

Richard Ash, sales director at Henderson Group which owns the Spar brand in Northern Ireland, added: “It’s a very exciting time for the Curry family, opening their fourth Spar store and we’re delighted to see them grow their business with this acquisition. They are dedicated and experienced retailers and their investment extends beyond the store itself into the whole community.  

“It’s fantastic to see that they already have plans to become such an integral part of their community, and we wish them every success for the future.”