Redmonds wins National Off-Licence of Year
The outlet was the national winner three years ago.
Now in their 19th year, the awards recognise and showcase excellence in the alcohol retailing industry and highlight those retailers offering exceptional service to customers and demonstrating excellence in retail standards.
All 40 finalists were awarded certificates of ‘Standard’, ‘Merit’ or ‘Excellence’ based on their performance.
The other awards on the night included:
- Specialist Off-Licence Group of the Year 2015 – The O’Donovan Group, Cork
- Best First Time Entrant 2015 – Number 21, Cork
- Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2015 – McCambridge’s, Galway
- Customer Service Award of the Year 2015 – O’Donovans, Mallow
- Spirit Specialist of the Year 2015 – Deveney’s of Dundrum
- Beer Specialist of the Year 2015 – Martins Off-Licence, Fairview
- Wine Specialist of the Year 2015 – Blackrock Cellar
- Connaught/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2015 – Dicey’s Off-Licence, Ballyshannon
- Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2015 – The Wine Centre, Kilkenny
- Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2015 – McHugh’s Off-Licence Kilbarack
- Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2015 – Next Door, Forum Waterford
Judging began in June last year and the process culminated in a blind wine-tasting which involved participants answering questions about the unidentified wines. Final awards were allocated following this process.
“Next year’s competition starts tomorrow,” quipped NOffLA’s new Chairman Gary O’Donovan in a reference to the need for never dropping standards even for a day.
He also re-iterated the Association’s appeal to government to introduce the promised Public Health (Alcohol) Bill as a matter of urgency.
Speaking at the awards, he said, “The annual awards are an opportunity for us to come together, recognising and celebrating the expertise of independent alcohol experts from all over Ireland. It is important however, to remember that we are still operating in a very challenging economic climate where retailers as a whole are struggling day-to-day all across Ireland.
The Association was calling on Minister Alex White TD to follow through on his commitment to public health and introduce the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill as a priority, he said.
“The Bill will see the introduction of a Minimum Unit Price and restrictions on the marketing and advertising of alcohol as part of the broader measures. We’re also calling for a ban on the below-cost selling of alcohol.”
The awards also saw The O’Donovan Group, Cork, win ‘Responsible Retailer of the Year 2015’ and Agnieszka Niemiec of Baggot Street Wines win ‘RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2015’.
