Spar Malone Road in Co. Antrim won the top accolade at Wednesday night’s Convenience Awards, in which the symbol group and petrol station operators shone.
As well as being named Convenience Retailer of the Year 2026, the Belfast-based site, owned by wholesaler Henderson Group, was also recognised as Large Convenience Store of the Year.
The judging panel of retail experts had praised the team at Spar Malone Road for developing a ‘one stop shop’ that serves all of its customers, as well as providing community outreach.
It was one of several forecourts sporting the white, red and green fascia, to be crowned: with the prolific award-winning site Spar Parkfoot taking Store Team of the Year. Owner David Charman, enthused that it is an important trophy for him to show appreciation to his staff.
Gill Marsh Forecourts in Ulceby Cross, renowned for its £5 full English breakfasts with up to 10 components to choose from, took Food To Go Store of the Year.
And Spar Naffterton in East Riding of Yorkshire, opened by wholesaler James Hall & Co in June 2024, was named New Store of the Year.
Spar itself, meanwhile, was chosen as Britain’s Favourite Convenience Symbol Group.
But the fascia group did not get everything its own way at the ceremony at the Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. Morrisons Daily also had a good evening, winning Britains’s Favourite Managed Convenience Group. Also, its fascia member Pricewatch Group saw its Wivelsfield, East Sussex store manager, Andre Salvidge, named as the Convenience Rising Star of the Year.
Convenience Store editor Aidan Fortune said that since Salvidge started working at the store the site had been “transformed”. It has developed from a place to refuel, to being a thriving shop for the community.
Salvidge told awards presenter, broadcaster Cherry Healey, that the secret to her success was “showing up no matter what”. She had in fact come straight from the airport after difficulties getting a flight home from Dubai, because of the Iran conflict.
Parfetts would also have been happy to have made the journey to Liverpool, having been given the title of Retailers’ Favourite Symbol Group for its Go Local fascia.
