'We want to give back to our customers as a thank you': Northern Ireland family retailer marks 70 years of community service with £3million store expansion
The new-look Ballyclare Spar store has been under renovation for nine months, doubling in size to 4,800 sq. ft, and has also provided 16 new jobs for the area, including both on the shop floor and in the instore Deli
Watts Spar, Ballyclare has officially reopened its doors following a significant £3 million expansion and refurbishment.
The new-look store has been under renovation for nine months, doubling in size to 4,800 sq. ft, and has also provided sixteen new jobs for the area, including both on the shop floor and in the instore Deli.
The Ballyclare site was purchased by Norman Watt in 1950 and has been owned and operated by the Watt family since.
Gerry Watt explained: “With the support of our loyal customers and community we have once again been able to make a significant investment into the store. We’ve made many changes over the years including the store being knocked down and rebuilt in late 1960’s and 2000, and it’s amazing to see the store as it is today. For over 70 years we have been proud to serve our local community, and we hope this latest development to the store will help us better meet our customers' needs and expectations.”
The investment has resulted in an expansion of Watt’s Deli, serving breakfast and lunch to go, as well as sandwiches, wraps, salads, ready meals and sweet treats all made instore. Working closely with local suppliers, the store offers treats from Dougie’s Goodies, The Cake Box and French Village Bakery, as well as meat from Stanley’s butchery and potatoes from Rooney’s. In addition to accessible essential services such as PayPoint, Lottery and an external ATM machine, the store offers a wide selection for shoppers on the go including a Barista Bar coffee machine and a self-serve ice cream machine.
Gerry continued: “The major investment has allowed us to deliver even more value on our shoppers’ doorsteps, with a significant expansion on our fresh and locally sourced food offering and entire range of everyday essentials along with an extensive range of fruit and vegetables.”
The store is celebrating the reopening with a weekly draw, giving shoppers the chance to win a £50 store voucher. Shoppers who spend a minimum of £10 (normal exclusions apply) can enter by filling in an entry slip and posting it in the entry post box instore. One winner will be picked each week until 1st March 2026.
Gerry added: “It has been so important to our family, and the whole team here at Watt’s Spar that we celebrate the reopening of the new-look store with our shoppers and give back to them as a thank you for their support over the years.
“I wish to extend a huge thank you to our all shoppers and our amazing team, especially Emily Beattie who has been with us for 20 years and Leah McIntyre, for 16 years, their dedication does not go unnoticed.”
Richard Ash, sales director at Henderson Group which owns the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland, commented: “We wish to congratulate Gerry, the Watt family and the whole team at Watt’s SPAR on this incredible investment into their store and local community. The refurbishment has allowed them to provide even more value for shoppers, as well as providing more jobs for those in the local area.
“The investment has made a significant difference to the store, shopper experience and the offering available at shoppers’ doorsteps. We wish the team every success for years to come.”