Local supermarkets honoured at ‘Best in Fresh' awards

TWO West Cork supermarkets checked out very well in highly regarded industry awards recently, taking home top honours. 

Murphy’s SuperValu in Castletownbere has been named Ireland’s Best Medium Supermarket at this year’s Checkout ‘Best in Fresh’ awards while Scally’s SuperValu in Clonakilty has been named Ireland’s Best Local Champion in the same high profile competition. 

The awards, which are now in their twelfth year, were set up to recognise excellence in fresh food retailing across a range of categories, including fruit and veg, fresh meat and fish, bakery, dairy and in-store equipment.

 Murphy’s which has been in business for close to 200 years, underwent a major revamp last year and the expanded state-of-the-art, 15,000 square foot store now includes an artisan bakery, hot food delicatessen and a craft butcher counter. The store also has a 30-seat café, as well as a dedicated health and wellness section.

Employing 65 people locally, they beat stiff competition from other finalists in the medium supermarket category to receive the much-coveted accolade at the awards ceremony in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.

 Judges noted the store’s overall excellence, its consistent quality offering across the entire store and its ability to develop innovative new concepts. The judges also noted that while it was very difficult to pick an overall winner in this category, SuperValu Castletownbere really ‘raised the bar’.

 Owners Chris and Lorraine Downey said: ‘As sixth-generation owners, the store has always been very special to us and has always been a huge part of our family. 

Last year’s revamp has allowed us to build on our commitment to supporting local and deliver the best quality, value and service that our customers deserve.’

 In awarding the acclaimed Clonakilty retailer, Scally’s SuperValu, the ‘Best Local Champion’ prize, judges noted that while all of the finalists had a strong involvement in their local communities and engaged regularly with local suppliers, it was Scally’s SuperValu that had really made ‘the extra effort to communicate that to consumers, encouraging them to buy local where possible’.

 The judges added that the award was ‘all about celebrating retailers who put local at the centre of everything they do,’ and said that on that basis, the clear winner was Scally’s SuperValu.

From locally sourced Union Hall fish, quality meats, fruit and veg from local farmers in West Cork, and much more local produce, Scally’s takes great pride in supporting the producers of the area, they said.

Receiving the award, Eugene Scally paid tribute to his team and acknowledged that their expertise and dedication played a vital role in their ‘Local Champion’ win.

‘They have played a vital role in making Scally’s a community retailer in the truest sense, and their knowledge and passion for local products and suppliers is always evident. 

‘I’d also like to thank the community in Clonakilty for supporting Scally’s over the years.’