A FERMANAGH store, celebrating 21 years in the grocery trade this month, last week collected a leading accolade.

John Connolly (front left) of Connolly’s Spar supermarket in Lisnaskea, was awarded runner-up place in the independent store category of the 1992 Good Grocer Award. He received a silver plate and a prize of £500 from UTV personality Pamela Ballentine.

The winners of this year’s awards were announced during an entertaining evening at the Grocers Ball in the Culloden Hotel outside Belfast.

John said this week that he was delighted with his supermarket’s success.

“This is my 21st year in the grocery business this month – this prize recognises all the hard work my staff have put in to make this one of the best stores in Northern Ireland,” said John, who had taken part for the first time.

When asked how his business was assessed, John explained that three judges came to the shop and incognito shoppers also circulated in the supermarket.

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John, a father of three children, who is helped out by his mother, Ellen, paid tribute to his staff, who he said were a “very important factor” in the collection of the accolade.

The businessman, who places tremendous importance on his customers, pointed out that he hoped to gain a first place in the awards next year.