Staff matters Yearbook 2019

Department News Staff Matters 2019

Enjoy local is a range of delicious locally sourced products for you to enjoy for tonight’s tea, a quick lunch, or a treat for
when friends and family pop in for a cuppa at Christmas! Every product in the range has been taste tested by consumers
under the watchful eye of scientists at Ulster University – if it doesn’t meet their standards, it doesn’t go on our shelves!
There are over 140 fresh products in the enjoy local range, including ready prepared roast chicken or beef meals, butter
and cocktail sausages - making grabbing the essentials for the Christmas menu even easier.

Meet the makers

Mark McKee from Fresh Fields and Richard Orr of
William Orr & Son tell us more about their business…

Noel McGregor, SPAR Produce Manager Richard Orr, Director William Orr & Son with
with Mark McKee, Fresh Fields Owner. Noel McGregor, SPAR Produce Manager.

Hi Mark, tell us about Fresh Fields. Hi Richard, what does William Orr & Son supply
to our stores?
We’re a family firm of traditional vegetable farmers and have
been operating since 1989. My wife, my brother, sister and I are all William Orr & Son is a family run potato farming business
involved and we employ people from the local area. All of our in Comber, and we grow and supply potatoes for The
crop is grown in Northern Ireland. Greengrocer’s range of products, as well as our own line of
seasonal spuds.
What would surprise our shoppers about your
produce? What makes the perfect potato for our
shoppers?
They might be surprised to hear how our carrots are grown! In
the early season, we cover them with fleece to keep them warm, As shoppers, we do not take the humble spud for granted!
then, come July, they’re uncovered to get the best of the summer We’ve noticed that what’s important for shoppers are the
sun – and rain! We’ll have a small harvest in summer, but come basics: where it’s farmed, the story behind it, why it’s unique, the
winter, we’re harvesting carrots and parsnips every day. variety and how it’s grown but most of all, the quality and taste!

51

Staff Matters 2019 Department News

Take aCake BreakARangeOfNewExcusesTo

June saw the addition of 20 new New products included salted caramel,
delicious bakery products to our coffee and carrot cakes, chocolate
enjoy local Bakery range, all produced orange as well as raspberry muffins and
collaboratively with local and family run mini cupcakes, Viennese Whirls, Coconut
businesses across Northern Ireland. Jam Delights and a cupcake platter. The
range is now a firm favourite in many
Enjoy local was launched in 2015 with family homes!
a £25m investment alongside 20 local
suppliers. We were delighted to appoint Through this investment we have not only
Graham’s Bakery in Dromore, Daily enabled smaller bakeries to expand their
Bake in Armagh and Scott’s Bakery in team and distribution throughout the
Fivemiletown to enable the expansion of country but continue to provide shoppers
the enjoy local bakery line. with even better value, quality and choice.

We’re proud to say that This new initiative is currently being to dairy and meat so make sure and give
75% of our fresh food is rolled out to 27 company owned them a try next time you’re in store!
sourced from local suppliers. EUROSPAR stores, giving 17 local
This year we expanded our suppliers the opportunity to put 53 of Products were on display at our Annual
local suppliers range even their product lines on the shelves of Autumn Trade Show giving retailers
further by reaching out to stores across NI. the opportunity to taste and see the
smaller, artisan producers, products first-hand. It’s a win-win for
who typically find it difficult to Only quality products from local artisan suppliers and stores alike, by broadening
gain listings with multiples. suppliers were selected, many of which the stores range, improving ‘foodie’
are Great Taste Award Winners! All of credentials and attracting new shoppers
the producers are based in N.I. with the looking for that ‘special’ ingredient. It’s no
exception of Ballymaloe, based in Cork. surprise that we envisage this initiative
The lines range from oils and preserves going from strength to strength with
greater distribution.

52

Department News Staff Matters 2019

We built a kitchen... Meet The Chef

For over 120 years we have Chef Carl Johannesson, who has over 20
supplied Northern Ireland years’ experience including Executive
with the best food from this Chef at the James Street South Group,
Isle and beyond. leads the team of cooks who have
designed and developed ‘The Chef’ range.
Last year we felt that there was The restaurant quality products are
something missing from our stores, a handmade in small batches using quality
product shoppers needed that we didn’t ingredients from companies such as K&G
yet have. McAtamney, Bradmount Foods, Elmore
Fish Ltd., Big Pot Co. and Daily Bake.
Every day we work with local suppliers
to bring shoppers the top Northern Irish ‘The Chef’ consists of 35 mains and sides
produce in-store. Now we want to cook it which includes family favourites such
for them. as beef Bolognese, fish pie and lasagne
alongside world flavours such as risotto
So, we built a kitchen in Randalstown and and stroganoff, curries and chowders,
took on world class chefs, to make the with added professional finesse.
best recipes, that we found on our travels Sides include cauliflower cheese, roast
for shoppers daily right here in Northern butternut squash with feta and honey,
Ireland, because local matters. and garlic mushrooms.
We set out on this journey to feed the
people of Northern Ireland and make life Our chefs have worked in restaurants
that little bit easier. across Ireland, USA and Thailand where
they served good quality food to maybe
Our chefs prepare each meal by hand 30 or 40 people a night, but with this
everyday so that Northern Ireland range we can serve good wholesome
families can enjoy fresh homecooked food to thousands of people every night
flavours at any time of the day. without a fancy price tag.

It’s about feeding a That’s what our team is passionate
community about. Giving home cooked, wholesome
and flavoursome food that can serve
The Chef is about making recognisable families whilst saving time.
food, that there isn’t the time to cook
every day. It’s about not compromising
on quality and flavour.

Now it’s over to you

Pick up ‘The Chef’ range for your next
family meal and taste the greatness
for yourself! For more information
and all participating stores, visit

eurosparni.co.uk/thechef

53

Staff Matters 2019 Christmas News

Loadsa Class
Wee Bargains

This year our annual 12 Deals of
Christmas initiative got a bit of a
makeover as we serenaded shoppers
with the details of each weekly
deal. We teamed up with some local
musicians from the, Belfast Ukulele
Band to help us belt out the deal
across Northern Ireland TV screens
and radio stations.

Better still we are poking fun at
ourselves with the creative that says
“we know it’s early, but these deals are
too good to wait” to create a series of
humorous content.

Dressing up in Christmas jumpers and
singing out shop deals to the tune of
The 12 Days of Christmas in September
isn’t for everyone, but Belfast Ukulele
Jam really helped the marketing team
get in to the spirit of things.

Festive inSPARation ristmas lifestyle magazine
With Our First Ever New Ch SPARFESTIVE
Christmas Magazine FREE

For the first time ever we launched a free CHhorlmistemsafosr FFoeostdive
100-page glossy Christmas magazine
filled with #FestiveInSPARation. The tLNaalIkn’sfgabsmefosirltydloa&vneEddafmecsootuinvpnitleiHeRosu.lmthes lmeSfhatoogwnveisfritcsoefponprtinlmegsassitn. asratenrds,
theme of the magazine is Christmas
ast. Made Simple, with 40 pages dedicated to LIFESTYLE
original recipes using all of our fresh, local
produce to create delicious meals simply. Gift Guide ow!
What’s On
Readers can find hacks and timing Derry Girls
tips from our Executive Chef, Carl FNeSasnttihovaewnFPCaasathrrotioel nr
Johannesson, as well as an entire festive
spread suitable for vegan, vegetarian, WIN! Fly a loved one home for Christmas
dairy-free and gluten-free eaters. And the
most wasteful time of the year is tackled FREE i
with cost-effective ways to make money
and meals go further and how to have the
most recyclable Christmas ever.

Some of NI’s finest homegrown celebrities
also appear including a special Christmas
at Home interview with Eamonn Holmes
and Ruth Langsford, while household
names like Brian Kennedy, Pamela
Ballantine, Snow Patrol and Derry Girls
share their favourite Christmas memories.

All wrapped up with a shopper competition
to fly a loved one home for Christmas.

If you haven’t managed
to get your hands on a
magazine, check out just a
few of the tasty recipes

54

Christmas News Staff Matters 2019

Goats’ Cheese Tarts SIMPLE STEPS
Preheat the oven. Oven temperature 180C/ Gas mark 4
with bacon, beetroot and cranberry
1. Lay a sheet of filo onto a clean work surface, quickly brush with melted
MAKES 8 TARTS butter and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes 2. Repeat with the second layer of filo
You will need a non-stick muffin tray
3. Finally place the third filo sheet on top and brush with the remaining
INGREDIENTS butter. Cut in half, and then cut each half into four squares

FOR THE TARTS 4. You will have eight small squares of pastry
3 rectangular filo pastry sheets
50g SPAR enjoy local butter, melted 5. Mould the pastry squares into a muffin tray and bake in a hot oven for 15
A little salt and pepper minutes until golden and crisp

FOR THE FILLING 6. Spoon equal amounts of cranberry sauce into the filo tarts and top
225g maple smoked bacon, grilled until crisp with cubes of beetroot, pieces of cooked bacon and crumble with
200g SPAR chèvre goat’s cheese goat’s cheese
200g beetroot, cut into small cubes
80g cranberry sauce 7. Pop back into a hot oven for 5 minutes to warm slightly. Then serve with
A little salt and pepper salad leaves and balsamic dressing

TO SERVE
1 bag of The Greengrocer’s mixed salad leaves
A little balsamic dressing

Tip

Filo pastry tarts can
be made up to a week
in advance and stored
in airtight containers.
Simply fill the tarts and
warm before serving on
Christmas Day.

55

Staff Matters 2019 ChristCmharsisNtmewas

Tip

Pre-soak the skewers
in hot water, this will
prevent them from
burning.

MAKES 24 SIMPLE STEPS
Prep: 10 minutes 1. Cut each chicken fillet into six long pieces and place into a shallow dish
Cook: 10 minutes 2. Stir lime juice and honey in a small bowl with garlic, ginger and chilli
INGREDIENTS
4 SPAR enjoy local chicken fillets, trimmed Pour over the chicken ensuring it’s coated well. If you have time, cover with cling
The juice of 2 limes film and marinate in the fridge for one hour for extra spiciness
1 tbsp honey 3. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread onto a skewer
2 garlic cloves, crushed 4. Lightly salt the chicken and grill on both sides until thoroughly cooked
Small piece of ginger grated
1 chopped chilli FOR THE DIP
Seasoning Stir yogurt, red wine vinegar, golden syrup and chilli flakes together.
Handful of The Greengrocer’s coriander
FOR THE DIP TO SERVE
2 tablespoons natural yogurt • If you really want to impress your guests, thread some blanched mange tout on to
10ml red wine vinegar
1 tbsp of golden syrup your skewer to curve around the chicken
A small pinch of chilli flakes • Arrange onto a serving plate and serve with chilli dip

20mins Tip

Get ahead of yourself
and prep the night
before, marinate chicken
overnight then grill just
before serving.

56

Christmas News Staff Matters 2019

Ferrero Rocher Tip

Add a sparkler before
bringing it to the table for
a showstopping wow!

SERVES 12 METHOD FOR THE BOMBE
You will need a 1.2 litre pudding bowl and
cling film. 1. Line a 1.2 litre pudding bowl with a double layer of cling film, leaving plenty
INGREDIENTS overhanging, and make a space for the bowl in a freezer
FOR THE BOMBE
200g Carnation caramel 2. Place 1/2 of the caramel into the bottom of the prepared bowl and top with
400g vanilla ice cream vanilla ice cream, then spread the remaining caramel in the centre and top
400g chocolate ice cream with chocolate ice cream. Press madeira cake slices into the chocolate ice
1/4 small madeira cake, cut into thin slices cream to cover and create a base for the bombe
FOR THE GANACHE
150ml whipping cream 3. Use the overhanging cling film to wrap the pudding and freeze for 2 hours
150g dark chocolate, chopped
TO DECORATE FOR THE GANACHE
Ferrero Rocher or Maltesers
TO SERVE 1. Pour the cream into a pan and heat. Place chopped chocolate into a large
100g chopped toasted nuts bowl and pour over the cream. Leave to stand for 1-2 mins, then stir as it
Chocolate stars cools to make a smooth ganache
Icing sugar
2. Remove the pudding bowl from the freezer. Turn it
WIN
onto a serving plate and remove the bowl and Tip
cling film. Spread the chocolate ganache over
the pudding and, as quickly as you can, place

the Ferrero Rocher over the surface. Start

around the bottom and work your way up Our freezers can get
in layers pretty busy at Christmas!
Make sure to clear
3. Once covered, return to the freezer for at enough space before you
least a further 2 hours

TO SERVE start this masterpiece.

Remove the pudding from the freezer 20

minutes before serving. Decorate with stars

and icing sugar

To celebrate the launch ofthe first ever
Christmas lifestyle magazine the Marketing
Team are giving you thechance to earn £10 on

your myRewards cards.
For more details on howto enter email
[email protected]
Be sure to share your creations on social

media &tag #SPARNI

57

Staff Matters 2019 Headline Makers

Headline
Makers

Congratulations to Ciara Wong on Congratulations to Michael
the birth of baby Evelyn in January Ballentine on the birth of baby Lewis
in May 2019

Congratulations to Kristine and her Congratulations to Stephanie Tares Congratulations to Stephen & Alice
partner Matt on the birth of their who got married in sunny Cancun in Hamilton on welcoming their little
baby girl Ava September girl Holly into the world in April

Judith Chambers from SPAR Well Done to Marketing Team Congratulations to Adam Wilkinson
Fortfield cut off 17 inches of her hair members who volunteered at the who married Emily in October 2019
for the Little Princess Trust - Well Marie Curie Hospice Fete helping
Done Judith raise £3,200

58

Long Service Awards Staff Matters 2019
59
Long Service Awards 2019

Service Years First Name Surname Job Title
10 Glenn Boyd HFL - Day Shift
10 Darren McKernon HFL - Gist
10 Keith Hunter HFL - Retail Frozen Transport Drivers
10 Stephen Garvin HFL - Sales
10 William Cullen HFL - Transport Drivers
10 Stephen Mellan HGPL - Property
10 Mark Thomson HGPL - Property
10 Mark Wilson HGPL - Property Retail Services
10 Michelle Donnelly HRL - Area Team
10 Peter Shields HRL - Area Team
10 Kyle Doherty HRL - Area Team
10 Ian Mullin HRL - Area Team
10 Trevor Anderson HWL - Assembly
10 Marcin Litwa HWL - Assembly
10 Terence Lenaghan HWL - Finance Payroll
10 Jennifer Surginor HWL - Fresh Admin &Trading
10 Clare Carson HWL - Fresh Admin &Trading
10 Darren Cameron HWL - Fresh Nights
10 Lukasz Ucinski HWL - Fresh Nights
10 Paul Barclay HWL - HR
10 Fionnuala McGlinchey HWL - IT Information Support
10 Samuel Bonnar HWL - Ops Team Leaders
10 Bartosz Pojda HWL - Replenisher - Nights
10 Robert Caughey HWL - Sales
10 Tracey Quinn HWL - Trading
10 James Davies Abbeyhill
10 Michael Walker Abbeyhill
10 Paul Ritchie Abbots Cross
10 Sara Quinn Ardglass
10 Claire Douglas Ashbury
10 Lisa Cree Ashbury
10 Daniel Pearson Ballyclare
10 Glenn Stevenson Ballyhackamore
10 Tomas McAllister Brackenvale
10 Tracie Horner Carrowdore
10 Briege Stewart Castlerock
10 Shirley Little Cohannon
10 William Docherty Donegall Road
10 Kathryn Andrews Gransha
10 April Clarke Gransha
10 Mirela Black Greystone
10 Jacqueline Wilson Jordanstown Post Office
10 Jackie Allen Ladas Drive
10 Ryan McIlwaine Ladas Drive
10 Christopher Taylor Ladas Drive
10 Julie Lillie Ladas Drive

Staff Matters 2019 Long Service Awards

10 Robert Bisewski Ladas Drive
10 Ryan Bennett Ladas Drive
10 Mandy Dodds Lambeg
10 Daniel McAllister Lurgan
10 Matthew Dunn Moat Street
10 Samuel Mills Musgrave
10 Lisa McKee Newcastle
10 Samantha Timms Newcastle Road
10 Adam McShannock P&G Post Office
10 Ryan Mawhinney Ravenhill Road
10 Patrick Bradley Rossdowney
10 Sean McCaffrey Saintfield
10 Neil Serpliss Seagoe
10 Laverne Purdy Tandragee
10 Michelle McKinstry Whiteabbey
15 Peter McAnally Henderson Print
15 Stephen Hamilton HGPL - Property
15 Andrew McCullough HGPL - Property Retail Services
15 Lee Galbraith HWL - Assembly
15 Steven Wallace HWL - Assembly
15 Martin Hughes HWL - Assembly
15 Samuel Davidson HWL - Director
15 Patrick Doody HWL - Director
15 Catherine Egan HWL - Finance Accounts
15 Charlotte Fulton HWL - Finance Reception
15 Iona Logan HWL - Fresh Tele Sales
15 Gayle Clinghan HWL - HR
15 Adam McCappin HWL - IT Information Support
15 Stephen Branagh HWL - Logistics Management
15 Andrew Mason HWL - Property
15 Alan Skelton HWL - Replenishers Days
15 Michelle Dineen HWL - Trading
15 Ryan Gaston HWL - Transport Drivers
15 George Warren HWL - Transport Drivers
15 Andrew Glenn Marketstall - IT Support
15 Philip Hughes Marketstall - ITTechnical Services
15 Helen McDermid Abbeyhill
15 Natalie Conn Abbeyhill Post Office
15 Joan McSharry Ardglass
15 Martin Polly Ballyhackamore
15 Adam Williamson Ballyholme
15 Pauline Gallagher Castle Street Post Office
15 Karen McDevitt Castlerock
15 Lisa Sullivan Catherine Street
15 Joanne Carville Clough Post Office
15 Jonathan Mitchell Cullybackey
15 Julie Hanna Donegall Road
15 Joan Blair Doury Road Post Office
15 Susan Malone Greystone
15 Susan Dempsey Hillcrest

60

Long Service Awards Staff Matters 2019
61
15 Karen Mealey Holywood Road

15 Heather Lough Jordanstown

15 Elaine Houston Jordanstown

15 Graham Scott Kings Crecent

15 Liz McIntyre Kings Crecent

15 Michelle Rea Kings Crecent

15 Carol Bozzard Ladas Drive

15 Victoria McLeod Ladas Drive

15 Robert Bacon Limavady

15 Susan Smith Lurgan

15 Brendan O'Hagan Lurgan

15 Alan Acheson Mallusk

15 Rory McCurry Millburn

15 Rosemary Brown Movilla

15 Charlene McKeag Movilla

15 Alison Patterson Movilla

15 Clifford McKendry Moyle Road

15 Michelle Kearney Newcastle

15 Colette Valentine Newcastle

15 Sheena McIntosh Ranfurley

15 Joyce Logan-Wilson Rossdowney

15 Tracey Baxter Saintfield

15 Catherine Blackstock Shandon

15 Maureen Martin Victoria Road

20 Alan McLean Henderson Print

20 Heather Adams Henderson Print

20 Stephen Tweed HFL - Night Shift General

20 James Forsythe HFL - Transport Drivers

20 Lesley-Anne Keery HRL - Area Team

20 Kieran Morgan HWL - Assembly

20 Nicholas Markey HWL - BDP

20 Caroline Gilmour HWL - Control Centre

20 Toni Downing HWL - Finance Credit Control

20 Iain Dickson HWL - Fresh Admin &Trading

20 Paul Coulter HWL - IT Information Support

20 Alan Abraham HWL - Logistics Management

20 Amanda Culbert HWL - Trading

20 Paul Yathindran HWL - Transport Drivers

20 Adrian Herbison HWL - WMS

20 David Adams Marketstall - IT Admin

20 Geoffrey Mitchell Marketstall - IT Admin

20 Norma Moore Ballygowan

20 Anna Taggart Carrowdore

20 Declan Boyle Castle Street

20 Janice Gray Dundonald

20 Jayne Colgan Jordanstown

20 Neil Carey Maghaberry

20 Geraldine Rowan Malone Road

20 Amanda Wilson Millburn

20 Kelly Hill Musgrave

Staff Matters 2019 Long Service Awards

25 Arlene Simmons HWL - Sales

25 Cathy Cawley Ashbury

25 Margaret Evans Belfast Road

25 Joanne Wilson Carrick

25 Bernie McGill Castle Street

25 Melissa Lamont Cullybackey Post Office

25 Clair Cullen Garvey Post Office

25 Carol Nicholl Limavady

25 Elizabeth Foers Maghaberry

25 Jackie Starrs Moyle Road

25 Eric Ogle P&G

25 Collette Scott Randalstown

25 Margaret O'Neill Rathgael

25 Margaret MacFarlane Victoria Road

25 Neil Bownes Whiteabbey

30 Aaron Bates Henderson Print

30 Heather Herron HFL - Control Centre - Nights

30 John Robinson HFL - Day Shift

30 Elaine Truesdale HFL - Telesales

30 Lynda Baker HGPL - Property

30 Wilma Farrell HWL - Control Centre

30 Jayne Cummings HWL - Finance Accounts Payable

30 Nicola Lowrie HWL - Fresh Admin

30 Paul Cox HWL - Fresh Days

30 Jackie Millar HWL - Fresh Early Shift

30 Alison Mehaffey HWL - Fresh Tele Sales

30 Mandy Mulholland HWL - Fresh Tele Sales

30 David Kelly HWL - Goods Received

30 Kenneth McCormick HWL - Transport Drivers

30 Dorothy Newell Newcastle Road

35 Ian Hanna HGPL - Property Retail Services

35 Charmaine Dickey Doury Road

35 Jacqueline Young Limavady

35 Donna Craig Manse Road

40 Breige McEvoy Ardglass

40 Wilma Madill P&G Post Office

62

Competition Staff Matters 2019

Adam Wilkinson David Quigg

Business Development Manager AmbientTrading, Category Manager

1. I have jumped out of a plane 1. I am 52 this year
2. I was head boy in high school
3. I’m a Guinness world record holder 2. I can play the bugle, the clarinet
and the saxophone

3. I have been in the grocery trade
for 33 years

We are offering one lucky Jonny Agnew Susan Hood
winner a Box at a Belfast
Giants game for you and 15 Fresh Food Development Sales Support Analyst
friends to enjoy. Marketing Executive
1. I’ve never seen an Indiana Jones film
Four of our Head Office staff 1. I was once a sponsored hockey player 2. I have an irrational fear of jelly babies
members were tasked with telling us 2. I have had a lion put its paws
two truths and a fib. All you have to on my back 3. I am an avid Trekkie
do is identify which statement is a fib
for all 4 employees’ to be in with your 3. I am not actually short sighted the lens
chance of winning! in my glasses are fake

Email your answers to
[email protected]
by Friday 10th January to be entered
into the prize draw.

63

Wishing You AVery

Merry Christmas &
A Happy NewYear