Champion Health Promotion in Your Local School & They Could Win £5,000 worth of Sports Equipment from SuperValu and Centra

• SuperValu and Centra join forces with Action Cancer to help deliver Health Action Schools Programme and increase awareness of healthy lifestyle choices.
• Parents can nominate schools taking part in the Health Action Programme to have a chance of winning £5,000 worth of sports equipment.
• In addition, SuperValu & Centra continue to support Big Bus Services, driving home early cancer detection across the province.

As the new school year approaches, leading convenience retailers SuperValu and Centra are calling for your help to encourage local schools to avail of Action Cancer’s Health Action Programme. The initiative is all about encouraging young people to make healthier lifestyle choices.   In operation since 2003 and having worked with nearly 500,000 pupils so far across Northern Ireland, the programme operates both at primary and secondary level and is delivered by a team of health promotion experts.

You can express your interest by visiting www.actioncancer.org, emailing schools@actioncancer.org or call 028 9080 3370.

Furthermore, for the 2019-2020 school year, SuperValu and Centra are offering a prize of £5,000 of sports equipment to one of the schools participating in the Health Action Programme to incentivise registration and participation. To be in with a chance of winning, parents just need to nominate their school through entry forms provided on every Health Action Programme visit.

Speaking today, Michael McCormack Managing Director of SuperValu and Centra NI said:

“Delivering a healthy lifestyle message to today’s younger generation is important and something we at SuperValu and Centra passionately support. Encouraging healthier lifestyles in younger years can reduce the risks of cancer in later life, so our focus is in raising as much money as possible across our store network and head office to enable Action Cancer to continue providing this fantastic service”.

SuperValu & Centra also announced that Action Cancer’s Big Bus Service will now include Centra stores on its route for 2019. In the first half of 2019, the money raised by both retailers has enabled the Big Bus to travel to over 113 locations, provide over 1,200 MOT Health Checks and over 2,400 breast screenings, with an average of 6 women diagnosed with Breast Cancer per 1,000 women screened.

Michael McCormack continued:

“We are delighted to be working with Action Cancer to further extend the reach of the valuable services on offer. The Big Bus is an integral part of the work of Action Cancer delivering many success stories in terms of early detection and prevention.  Our SuperValu retailers are a staple fixture on the Big Bus calendar and we are delighted to be extending the reach to our Centra stores too.

Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer, said:

“The schools Health Action Programme is an excellent initiative, empowering local children to make the right choices when it comes to their health and lifestyles. It is a natural fit that SuperValu stores, like their Centra neighbours, are now involved in endorsing this programme and promoting it within their local areas. 

The Big Bus mobile detection unit brings a life-saving service to our communities. The Big Bus has visited SuperValu stores for many years now and appointments have always been very strong during these visits, bringing early prevention, detection and support services to their customers staff and wider community. We’re delighted to see Centra stores join the visit schedule in 2019/2020”.

SuperValu and Centra have been partnering with Action Cancer since 2001 and are working towards raising one of the largest amounts ever by a company for an individual charity in Northern Ireland.  By the end of 2019, the total raised for Action Cancer via the charity partnership will reach an outstanding £3 million.

To find out more about the Health Action Programme read more here.  The full list of SuperValu and Centra store visits for the Big Bus can be viewed here.  Screenings and health checks for both men and women are available to book online.

Centra is bringing enhanced convenience to people travelling on the M1 Motorway with the arrival of its highly anticipated brand-new store at Dungannon.   The bright and contemporary store, which opened its doors to the public on Thursday 22^nd August, combines high convenience with an expanded food-to-go offering providing a welcome stop for those travelling to and from the west of the province.

Centra M1 Dungannon marks the second store opening for local businessman, George Patterson of Patterson Oil who already owns Centra Gilford Road in Portadown.  The store represents an investment of £2.2 million and will create 50 new jobs in the area.

Commenting on Centra’s continued expansion, Nigel Maxwell Sales Director Centra Northern Ireland said:

“At Centra, our focus is on redefining convenience – providing our shoppers with a healthier offering and innovative ranges, particularly in food-to go and our Frank and Honest coffee brand.  Centra M1 Dungannon is the latest example of our stores responding to the changing needs of the busy consumer.  We are delighted to be working with George and his team and wish them every success.” 

Offering a range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is something for everyone whether travelling home in the evening, on the road for work or on route to a short break in the west.  Amenities in store include Frank and Honest Coffee, the largest on-the-go gourmet coffee brand on the island of Ireland and the Green Kitchen, a Centra salad concept designed for the consumer looking for a healthier option.

For the more adventurous, there’s the punchy and vibrant flavours of a burrito from the Mex-A-Go Burrito Bar; whilst hot self-serve food-to-go options, and an abundance of indulgent treats, including both whipped and soft scoop Mullins ice-cream, are a must for afternoon hunger pangs.

Speaking today, George Patterson said:

“We are proud to be opening the doors of our new store in Dungannon and build on the success we have had already with the Centra brand and wider team.  A prime location for those travelling the busy M1 route, we look forward to welcoming customers instore and providing them with a one-stop shop for modern convenience.”  

The new store features a large seating area on the ground floor alongside additional seating in the Motorway Restaurant on the first floor which also incorporates a children’s play area.  Wi-Fi is available throughout while a truck park is available on site including overnight facilities and a shower block.  The large 24-hour TEXACO forecourt incorporates AD BLU, LPG, Supreme Fuels, Home Heating Oil /Gasoil, Flogas Cylinders, Electric Charge points for electric cars, air vac and all Grades of Solid Fuels and Block Firewood.

Local convenience retailer, Centra today revealed the lucky winner of their Summer Holiday Competition.  Margaret Harkin, from Strabane, posted her winning entry in the postbox at Centra Claudy and now has the enviable task of deciding where to go with her £5,000 holiday voucher.

The Centra competition, in association with Club Orange, invited shoppers to visit their local Centra store and fill out a travel postcard detailing the holiday of their dreams.

Already planning her dream holiday, Margaret said:

“I was so surprised to get the call, to be honest I didn’t believe it was true.  We are now looking forward as a family to sit down and plan our holiday, Florida has always been on the bucket list so that could be our destination!”

Congratulating Margaret, Jennifer Morton Centra Brand Manager said:

“We had a fantastic response to our Summer Holiday Competition and would like to thank all those who entered.  A big congratulations to our lucky winner Margaret.  This competition was all about celebrating the start of summer and with our great offers in Centra stores across NI, we have got something for everyone this Summer to help them Live Every Day to its fullest.”

Centra’s Belfast City Centre expansion is continuing with the opening of a new store at River House on High Street, bringing further convenience options to the city’s Cathedral Quarter.  The doors will open to the public on Tuesday 13^th August.

The brand-new store, located on the ground floor of this new 13-storey building on High Street, will be the perfect convenience location for the numerous private offices and co-working spaces in the area and is a welcome addition to the business community.

Commenting on Centra’s continued expansion in Belfast City centre, Nigel Maxwell Sales Director Centra Northern Ireland said –

“Our focus is on redefining convenience – providing our shoppers with a healthier offering and innovative ranges, particularly in food-to go and our Frank and Honest coffee brand.  Centra River House is the latest example of our stores responding to the changing needs of the busy consumer and we wish Donagh and his team every success.”

With stores in Stranmillis, Malone Road and Donegall Street, River House marks the fourth Centra store for owner Donagh McGoveran.  Speaking today, Donagh said –

“We are proud to be opening the doors of River House and look forward to welcoming customers and providing them with a one-stop shop for modern convenience.”   

Offering a range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner including a hot and cold deli and healthy salad bar Green Kitchen, there is something for everyone.  Coffee lovers will be catered for with an in-store Frank and Honest gourmet coffee dock featuring 100% compostable coffee cups.

With self service tills available, Centra River House will service those on busy schedules while at the same time cater for those seeking a more relaxed eating experience with a comfortable seating area, complete with complimentary USB charging ports and WiFi.

Retailers from Centra have been shortlisted in the 2019 Retail Industry Awards, highlighting the excellence on offer across our stores.

Widely regarded as ‘The Oscars’ of the grocery sector, the Retail Industry Awards reward excellence and outstanding achievement across a broad range of categories, recognising independent retailers alongside the large supermarket groups.

Commenting on the shortlist, Michael McCormack, Managing Director of Centra in Northern Ireland said:

“I would like to congratulate all those stores who have been shortlisted in these prestigious UK wide awards. Excellence is second nature to our retailers, whether that’s the customer service they provide or the food and drink they serve. These shortlistings are testament to the hard work that has been put in over the years by our teams both at local and national level. We can now turn our attention to the awards night on September 17th and look forward to bringing home some wins for our retailers.”

Centra has been shortlisted in the following categories for this year’s Retail Industry Awards:

· Convenience Retailer of the Year – Regional – Centra NI

· Digital Engagement Award – Bradley’s Centra, Maghera, County Londonderry

· Drinks Retailer of the Year – Independent – Lusty’s Centra Larne, County Antrim

· Food-to-go Retailer of the Year

o Independent – Lilley’s Centra, Dublin Road, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

· Forecourt Retailer of the Year

o Independent – Lilley’s Centra, Dublin Road, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

o Company-owned – Centra Church Street, Banbridge, County Down

· Independent Retailer of the Year

o 1,200sq ft to 3,000sq ft – Centra Holywood, County Down

o 3,000sq ft to 6,000sq ft – Centra Deansbridge, Armagh

· Store Team of the Year – Lilley’s Centra, Dublin Road, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh

· Symbol/Fascia Group of the Year – Centra

· Symbol Initiative of the Year – Live Well, Centra

Local convenience retailer, Centra has joined forces with Club Orange to offer one lucky winner the chance to jet off on the summer holiday of their dreams. To be in with a chance of winning a £5,000 holiday voucher, shoppers just have to visit their local Centra store and fill out a travel postcard detailing the holiday of their dreams. From swimming the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean to taking a bite out of the Big Apple, this postcard could be the ticket to a great summertime adventure.

The exclusive competition celebrates summer arriving at Centra stores across NI with an array of seasonal favourites now in-store. Come Rain or shine, inside or out, Centra has got summer covered with bright refreshing salads to juicy, chargrilled barbecue ingredients. The competition closes on 20th July and the winner will be notified on 29th July. For further information, competition terms and conditions and privacy policy, visit www.centra.co.uk or the Centra Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CentraNI.

Pictures by Stephen Hamilton, Press Eye.

Pictured (L-R) Katharine Walker and Remi Shore launch the Centra 5K summer holiday competition in association with Club Orange.

Rosé wine brings out so many relaxing memories within people…… that classy friend’s BBQ last summer serving pale pink Provence Rosé, the glass of Rioja Rosado back in Spain which cost less than a Coca-Cola or those Friday nights in front of the TV with a bottle of White Zin!

Rosé splits opinions when it probably shouldn’t. Sure, I’m yet to sit down and enjoy a bottle of Rosé with my brothers (Brosé?) but why should we think of it as being anything other than a lighter, more refreshing version of red wine? That’s right, for those who don’t spend their weekends reading wine books, Rosé is made from red wine grapes. The clues are in the names, with White Zinfandel being the perfect example. Zinfandel being a poplar red wine in California, White Zinfindel is simply a version with less colour, less dryness and greater popularity!

 Pale or Bright Pink

Pale Rosé is a style, not an indication of quality. Yes, the very best dry rosé wines do come from Provence and yes they are pale pink but some grapes simply have more colour than others plus the time grape skins are in contact with the wine greatly affects the colour of the wine.

Irish News, 20/05/19

Dry or Less Dry

Notice I avoid saying sweet because even White Zinfandel isn’t as sweet as Coca Cola. The sweetness levels in rosé results from residual sugars. A rosé from Provence or New Zealand may have very little residual sugars while a White Zinfandel may have lots. So, on the sweetness level of rosé wine, it’s “horses for courses”!  If you haven’t tried the Portuguese Rosé idol that is Mateus, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its refreshing yet less dry fruitiness.  On a hot summer’s day in Lisbon, the thirsty locals can be seen enjoying a bottle of Mateus in their street cafes.

Spicy or Simply Served

Rosé can match beautifully with Food. White Zinfandel can challenge beers crown for matching well with a spicy Indian curry, it’s a “once you’ve tried it, you’ll believe it” flavour combination. However, if a pale pink Provence rosé is more your thing and you have the BBQ lit, try a glass with your grilled prawns or fish. Its crisp delicate citrusy flavours pairs beautifully with BBQ prawns.

Fingers crossed for a long hot summer so that you can rethink your pink, and maybe even enjoy a rosé with your bros!