The award-winning Canning’s SPAR Supermarket Bellarena in Limavady celebrated an amazing milestone of 50 years serving their local community and are giving back with fundraisers for important causes.

50-years in business

The family run business was opened by George and Harry Canning in 1974, with just five employees. Now, the retailer employs 15 people from the local area. The store remains a family-focused business to this day, managed by George’s daughter, Joanne and Harry’s son Eoin, alongside Maxine Tosh, who has been with the business since 1999. 

Over the past 50 years, the Canning brothers made major investments in the store totaling over £600,000. Three significant refurbishments have been completed to bring even more services and products for their shoppers, including a butchery, an instore Post Office, and an extended offering of local fresh produce. A 2019 modernisation gave the SPAR Supermarket Bellarena a modern feel and again  significantly expand the product offering for the local community. 

Eoin Canning, Store Manager, said, “We’re so proud to be celebrating 50 years of the store. It was an honour to become store manager back in 2019 alongside my cousin Joanne, taking over from our dads and continuing the family legacy.”

Supporting important local causes

The retail team has always been dedicated to the local organisations and charities that are important to their shoppers and staff. Over the years, they have fundraised for Marie Curie, Foyle Hospice and St Aidan’s GAC, to name but a few. 

In celebrating the 50-year milestone, the team raised over £1,100 for the Magilligan Playgroup and Altnagelvin Area Hospital Rapid Response Unit, which are close to the hearts of both the team and the shoppers in the local area. 

Joanne White, Store Manager said; “As a rural store, our community relies so much on local groups and organisations, and the Altnagelvin Rapid Response Unit delivers vital services to our rural communities. We’re delighted to support them as we celebrate an incredible 50 years in business with SPAR Northern Ireland.” 

Source: Henderson Group

Read more about SPAR UK

About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted a licence to utilise the SPAR brand to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR in the UK comprises independently owned and licensed retailers as well as company-owned stores.