John and Karen Ingram, the retailers who ran the local Newtownbutler SPAR for 21 years, have officially handed the keys to the store to the new owners, Paul and Deborah Holder, and their sons Nathan and Alex.

Originally operating as a ViVO, and purchased from local retailer Billy Coulter, the Ingrams oversaw expansions and refurbishments over the years for it to become the SPAR store it is today.

The development of the store has also seen the Ingrams provide vital employment, which now employs a total of 15 staff from the local area.

The Ingrams' 21 years in business was recently marked by representatives from the Henderson Group, owners of the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland, who presented the family with a commemorative plaque, and congratulated the Holders on their latest SPAR venture.

John Ingram said: “It’s hard to believe we served the local community for 21 years! Being there for our neighbours when they most needed us, and supporting all the fantastic local groups and organisations, is what drove us every day.

“One of our proudest moments was fundraising with our staff and shoppers to install a potentially life-saving automated external defibrillator on the building, available to the town 24/7.

"We wouldn’t be handing over such a successful business without the local shoppers and the community who have supported us – they really made the store the hub and heart of the local community, and we’ll miss seeing our regular shoppers dearly.”

Paul and Deborah Holder, who also run a SPAR store in nearby Letterbreen on the outskirts of Enniskillen, have taken over the store and have big plans to continue the great work the Ingrams started.

Paul said: “It’s great to have our two sons supporting our new ownership. Nathan will continue the management of Letterbreen, and myself and Alex will oversee [SPAR] Newtownbutler and continue the development of the store.

“John and Karen have left an outstanding legacy of neighbourhood retailing here in Newtownbutler, and not only will we continue that on, but we will build on it.

"SPAR stores provide their local areas with a huge choice of fresh foods, all from local suppliers, catering for that area’s needs and wants. We’re already learning more from our shoppers and building on that shopping experience and range.

“We kicked off our time in Newtownbutler with promotions and deals to thank the local community for their support, and our shoppers can expect lots more of that as we continue to bring quality, value and choice to the local community.”