By Claire Cartmill

Copyright newsletter

Pillars of the community, Charlie and Ruth Hamilton are celebrating 30 years of their Castlederg store. SPAR Castlederg, which opened in September 1995 with 25 employees, now employs 72 people from the local area in the 7,159 sq. ft. superstore, following a major refurbishment in 2021, making it the largest SPAR store in the UK. The family’s retailing legacy began with the opening of their first store in 1979, Hamilton’s SPAR, Newtownstewart and 16 years later in 1995 SPAR Castlederg first opened its doors, followed by their Tamlaght Road SPAR in 1998. They are trusted and highly respected retailers within their local communities, with their children also continuing their retailing legacy. Their son David owns four of his own stores in Fermanagh and daughter Louise owns Joe’s Chippy in Sion Mills and is part owner of The Oaks Glamping Pods Drumahoe. Their daughter Alison joined the family business full time in 2018, helping to build upon the family business for years to come. The Hamilton family have been central to their local community with continued support for several local charities including Marie Curie and Air Ambulance NI. Charlie also often pays visits to local primary schools to exhibit the best of Northern Ireland’s local food producers during their local supplier showcase. This not only highlights the offering available to shoppers in store, but also the range of local suppliers and quality produce available across the country, showing the family’s dedication to supporting local suppliers. Charlie, alongside Lynsey Evans, commercial manager of Produce & Horticulture at Henderson Wholesale, share where food comes from with pupils, the importance of supporting local farmers and producers, and how making homegrown, healthy choices benefits both communities and the environment. Charlie said: “We are incredibly proud of our local suppliers here in Northern Ireland, and we’re passionate about sharing that with our shoppers, and now with the next generation. As a local business, it’s so important to make a positive impact, not just in our store, but throughout the community and we know this is important to our shoppers too. “Supporting our local community over the past 30 years has been central to our whole family and our team. We have invested significantly over the years to ensure our superstore offers everything needed on shoppers’ doorsteps, from stocking up with fresh local produce for the week, to a quick stop for convenient food-to-go. “We are very proud of our store and its team, and we hope to continue to bring the highest quality services and products for our shoppers. “It’s been an honour to serve our community for 30 years and we look forward to many more.” Paddy Doody, sales and marketing director at Henderson Group which owns the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland, added: “Charlie and Ruth’s family business is a perfect example of evolving to meet your shoppers’ needs, all while supporting their local community. The store began as a small SPAR store and has developed enormously over the past 30 years and we’re proud of the legacy they have built. “One small store in Newtownstewart in 1979 was the beginning of a multi-million-pound family business with deep roots in the community and a belief in providing great service and value for many years to come. We wish to congratulate Charlie, Ruth, the Hamilton family and the store team on this milestone and look forward to seeing what the next 30 years bring.” To celebrate the milestone, the store gave away £900, giving 30 shoppers the opportunity to win £30 across three days, earlier this month. Shoppers also availed of the anniversary flash sale which saw popular products discounted including McKinney’s sugar and Lucozade (6 pack), as well as special anniversary offers. The store provides the local community with a one-stop-shop for fresh, locally sourced products and big brand names. Shoppers can stock up for the week ahead, choose something for tonight’s tea or pick up something on the go with an extensive range of food-to-go options and weekly offers providing value for shoppers.