CRAWFORDS of Maghera, which started life more than a century ago as a general merchant and has since evolved into one of Northern Ireland’s leading independent supermarkets, is Irish News readers' 2021 High Street Champion.
It polled far and away the most votes in the campaign, run by Retail NI and the Irish News (supported by Camelot and Translink), and which drew a readers' response into the thousands.
And the coveted High Street of the Year accolade was won by the Ormeau Road in Belfast, taking the crown secured in previous years by the main shopping thoroughfares in Ballycastle and Newtownards.
Crawfords at Main Street in Maghera topped our poll in both the Convenience Store and Community Covid-19 Champion categories, and was thus declared overall winner of the campaign.
It was founded in 1900 by Robert Crawford, and in 1956 his nephew (also Robert) and his son Gilbert bought the business outright.
Gilbert and his wife Hazel expanded through the 60s and 70s, adding a toy department and coffee lounge. The 1980s saw further expansion and the business joined the National Independent Supermarkets Association.
Since 2000 the store has more than doubled in size and added a post office, butchery, bakery, ready meal kitchen and off-licence to its portfolio.
A major extension and refurbishment project commenced in 2009 and completed in 2010, allowing the company to compete on equal terms with the major players in the intensely competitive retail sector.
The Crawfords Group continues to grow with Jonathan Crawford as managing director, and it recently acquired a service station, branded as Crawfords Express.
“A hearty congratulations to Crawfords and to the Ormeau Road, as well as winners of all the other categories in what has yet again been a hugely successfully initiative,” said Irish News group marketing & communications manager Annette Small.
“The High Street Heroes Awards celebrate those exceptional independent business owners or employees who have gone above and beyond for their local high street.
“We received a record number of entries this year, which reinforces the importance of the high street as the life and soul of communities across Northern Ireland.”
Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “Across Northern Ireland, in our cities, towns and villages, local independent retailers have been an absolute lifeline, especially in the last year or so, when staff often put their own health at risk to ensure customers were served and vital community service remained at peak efficiency.
“Every single one of the winners confirmed on these pages today have gone above and beyond normal service levels, and we applaud them all.”
He added: “If there is one positive to come out of the Covid-19 crisis, it is the renewed commitment from consumers of using and valuing local independent retailers, particularly convenience, butchers and fruit and veg shops.”
