EVERY CUP COUNTS: ESPRESSO WE CARE CAMPAIGN RETURNS TO SUPPORT ACTION CANCER

Centra and SuperValu to donate 50p from sales of Frank and Honest Coffee for local charity

Centra and SuperValu stores across Northern Ireland are once again inviting customers to make a difference with every cup of coffee as the popular Espresso We Care campaign returns in support local charity Action Cancer.

Running from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 4 October, coinciding with International Coffee Day, the initiative will see 50p from every Frank and Honest coffee sold in participating stores donated to the retailers’ charity partner.

Now in its sixth year, Espresso We Care has become a successful annual fundraising campaign, raising an impressive £107,000 for the charity since its launch. The funds support vital services delivered by Action Cancer on board its mobile clinic the Big Bus, including health checks, breast screening and skin cancer detection appointments.

Maurice Cusack, Head of Retail Marketing for Centra and SuperValu, said:

“Espresso We Care has become one of our most successful and engaging fundraising initiatives, and we’re incredibly proud that, together with our retail partners and customers, we’ve raised £107,000 for Action Cancer since the campaign launched.”

“Our retailers and store teams are passionate about supporting local communities, and this campaign gives customers a simple way to contribute while enjoying a great cup of coffee. Every Frank and Honest coffee purchased helps fund essential services that make a real difference to people and families across Northern Ireland.”

Centra and SuperValu have partnered with Action Cancer since 2001 and have raised more than £4.25 million to support the charity’s life-saving services across Northern Ireland. Funds raised through Espresso We Care help keep Action Cancer’s Big Bus mobile clinic on the road, delivering breast screening, health checks and skin cancer detection services within local communities.

Starting at £3.00 for a Frank and Honest coffee, 50p from the sale of each coffee will be donated to the charities over the four-day period.


Centra celebrates 30 years of serving communities across Northern Ireland

Centra, and sister brand SuperValu, are celebrating 30 years in Northern Ireland which marks a significant milestone for two of the region’s best known convenience brands.

Over the past 30 years, the Musgrave NI owned brands have become a familiar part of communities across Northern Ireland, supporting local retailers, suppliers and producers, serving generations of customers, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the growth of the local economy.

David Higgins, Retail Sales Director for Centra and SuperValu said,

“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating 30 years of Centra and SuperValu in Northern Ireland. Reaching this milestone is a testament to the strong partnerships we have built with independent retailers across the region, the dedication of our colleagues and the loyalty of our customers.

“Over the past three decades, our brands have become a trusted part of communities throughout Northern Ireland, and this anniversary is an opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of that journey.”

“As we look to the future, we remain committed to investing in local communities, supporting our retailer partners and meeting the evolving needs of customers across Northern Ireland for many years to come.”

To thank customers for their support over the past three decades, Centra and SuperValu are launching a special ‘30 Years, 30 Chances, £30k’ giveaway. Shoppers will have the opportunity to win £1,000 each day from Monday 14th September to 13th October.

Centra and SuperValu retailer Gabriel Bell has operated a successful SuperValu store in Crossgar since 2014, and Centra in Killinchy for 10 years. He added:

“Musgrave has been a valued partner to our business for many years and we’ve seen first-hand the strength of the Centra and SuperValu brands and the trust they have built within local communities.

“We’re proud to celebrate 30 years of Centra and SuperValu in Northern Ireland, and to recognise the customers, colleagues and communities who have played such an important role in that journey. It’s a fantastic milestone and we’re delighted to be giving something back to our loyal customers as part of the celebrations.”

Among Musgrave NI’s longest serving retail partners is the Moran family, who opened their first Centra on Strand Road in Derry~Londonderry in 1997. John and Donna, and their three children, now own two Centra stores and a SuperValu in the Northwest.

In Co. Down brothers Conor and Declan Watson have each got more than 25 years of Centra retailing under their belts with their respective stores in Cloughey and Portaferry, while the Kennedy family will soon mark 25 years of their Centra store in Ballinderry.


CENTRA WESTWINDS LAUNCHES FOLLOWING £250,000 REVAMP

McRobbie’s Centra Westwinds in Newtownards has unveiled a contemporary new look following an extension and refurbishment at an investment of £250,000.

The community store, owned by experienced retailers Neil and Lee-Anne McRobbie who also own Centra in Conlig, supports 15 local jobs, and has been totally transformed to offer customers a modern new layout and more seamless shopping experience.

To celebrate the new look, the store team hosted a family fun day on Friday (26th June) with exclusive offers, spin and win prizes and giveaways, tasty food samples as well as face painting, balloon modelling and a bouncy castle for the children.

Changes to the store include new external and internal signage, digital screens, an extended range with more than 100 new products across the store, and a wide range of meal solutions for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food-to-go offering includes a hot grab and go counter, sandwiches and meal deals, and the popular Frank and Honest Coffee, which has fully recyclable coffee cups, plastic free coffee capsules and Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee beans. Shoppers can also avail of the coffee brand’s digital loyalty app enabling customers to get a free coffee after earning six digital stamps.

Commenting at the launch of the refurbished store, owner Neil McRobbie said:

“We’re very proud to unveil a fresh new look for the store, which has been part of the Westwinds community for over 50 years. We took ownership 24 years ago and transitioned the store from Mace to Centra around 12 years ago.

“It was fantastic to welcome customers along to our fun day, giving them the opportunity to experience the refreshed store first-hand, enjoy food tastings, and take part in prize giveaways – a small way of thanking them for their continued support.

“We look forward to continuing to serve the community with a great range, strong value, and excellent service for many years to come.”

David Higgins, Retail Sales Director at Musgrave NI, which owns the Centra brand, added:

“Congratulations to our independent retail partners Neil and Lee-Anne on their newly refreshed store – it’s clear to see customers are impressed with the changes. The store is a real asset to the community, offering the height of convenience at great value, and I’d like to wish them and their team all the best with the new look store.”

Other features in the store include the introduction of the award-winning ‘Signature Tastes’ range from sister brand SuperValu, an upgraded off-licence with greater value and more offers, as well as a zero-alcohol zone.

As part of Centra’s commitment to value, shoppers will benefit from hundreds of best buys and savings of up to 40% on own brand products. That’s as well as a Supermarket Price Match on key everyday items with Tesco, plus the Epic Deals promotion on four big brand products, which change every three weeks.

Centra is also committed to supporting local, with Musgrave NI investing over £240 million annually in local food and drink, working with more than 3,000 farmers, partnering with over 250 suppliers, and offering over 6,000 locally sourced products across its stores. In addition, Centra continues to support its long-standing partnership with Action Cancer, which has raised £4.25 million since 2001, helping deliver life-saving early detection services to communities across Northern Ireland.

Supporting Musgrave’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the store has heavily invested in energy saving technology over recent years to make operations more efficient and reduce its carbon footprint. This includes energy efficient LED lighting and top-grade energy efficient refrigeration and freezers. The store will soon also have electronic shelf edge labels fitted to reduce paper and ink usage.


CENTRA RUN TOGETHER RETURNS FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Flagship fundraising event set to be biggest yet as retailer targets £200,000 milestone for Action Cancer

Leading convenience retailer Centra is calling on runners and walkers across Northern Ireland to take part in its flagship fundraising event, Centra Run Together, which returns to Ormeau Park, Belfast on Sunday 18th October 2026.

This year marks a significant milestone as the event celebrates 10 years of running, community spirit and fundraising, with organisers planning the biggest event to date. A total of 2,000 places are available across both 5K and 10K routes – an increase of 400 on previous years – with all registration fees donated to Centra’s long-term charity partner, Action Cancer.

Delivered as part of Centra’s Live Well initiative, Run Together has gone from strength to strength since it first launched in 2016, raising an impressive £195,000 to date. In its anniversary year, Centra is aiming to surpass £200,000, helping to fund the lifesaving work of Action Cancer across Northern Ireland.

Funds raised through the event help keep Action Cancer’s Big Bus mobile detection unit on the road, delivering vital services directly into local communities. Every £120 raised can pay for a free breast screening for women outside NHS screening age (40–49 and 70+), while £50 covers the cost of a health check for men and women aged 18+.

Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to take part, whether running, jogging or walking the scenic Ormeau Park routes. Every entry includes a bespoke 10th anniversary medal, event T-shirt, goodie bag, free lunch and a range of family-friendly entertainment on the day.

Commenting on the launch, Jennifer Morton, Centra Brand Manager, said:

“This year’s Centra Run Together is particularly special as we celebrate 10 years of an event that has become such an important part of our community calendar. Each year, we see people of all ages and abilities come together to support Action Cancer, and that sense of community is what makes it so unique.

“With 2,000 places available this year, we’re looking forward to making our 10th anniversary event the biggest and best yet. Whether you’re taking on the 10K challenge or enjoying a 5K walk with family and friends, every step taken helps raise vital funds for an incredible cause.”

Centra has supported Action Cancer since 2001, and the partnership continues to make a meaningful difference across Northern Ireland.

Lucy McCusker, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Action Cancer, added:

“Centra Run Together is always a highlight in our calendar, and we’re incredibly grateful to Centra and everyone who takes part year after year. The funds raised through this event directly support our lifesaving services, helping us reach more people in local communities through the Big Bus.

“As we mark 10 years of Run Together, we would encourage as many people as possible to sign up, get involved and help us continue delivering these essential services across Northern Ireland.”

Local fitness trainer Bubba will once again lead a pre-run warm-up, while Centra brand ambassador and radio presenter Pete Snodden will start the race and welcome participants over the finish line.

Run Together 2026 is kindly sponsored by the following suppliers: Forest Feast, O’Donnell’s, Linwoods, Avonmore, Nomadic, Unrooted, Get Pro, Dromona, Coleraine, Muller, Yazoo, Boost, River Rock, Fulfil, Lindt, Ferrero and Deli Lites. For further information or to register, visit www.centra.co.uk or follow Centra NI on social media.


Centra The Barbican officially launches in Newcastle following £1.4m investment

Centra The Barbican has officially opened in Newcastle following a £1.4 million investment, marking a new chapter for a store that has served the local community for more than 40 years.

Originally opening as a convenience store in the 1980s and trading as SuperValu since 1998, the much-loved Barbican store has now joined the Centra brand, bringing together SuperValu’s strong food heritage with Centra’s modern convenience offer.

To celebrate the launch, pupils from local primary schools who had won a colouring competition, led the ribbon cutting ceremony. Each school will also receive a £200 donation to support school funds. Shoppers enjoyed a family fun day, with food samples, cookbook giveaways from Centra brand ambassador, food blogger and BBQ specialist Jim Moore (@Only Slaggin’), prize giveaways and a live broadcast from Cool FM with presenter Pete Snodden.

Commenting on the refurbishment, Oliver Martin, Head of Musgrave Northern Ireland’s Company Owned Stores, said:

“This £1.4 million investment represents an exciting new chapter for The Barbican and underlines our commitment to providing local shoppers with great food, modern convenience and strong value.

“Every element of the refurbishment has been carefully planned to reflect how people shop today – making it easier, faster and more enjoyable. And with standout food-to-go, quality meal solutions, a premium alcohol range and all the everyday essentials – value remains at the heart of the offer. We’re proud to continue serving the Newcastle community and look forward to welcoming shoppers to experience the new store.”

The store has been completely transformed, introducing more than 400 new product lines, including a dedicated local section showcasing Musgrave’s strong commitment to local supplier partnerships.

A key feature of the refurbishment is the Dinner Made Easy zone, offering an extended range of fresh foods, quality meat, sides and convenient meal solutions. Shoppers will also find a new hot and cold deli, including a baked potato station and pizza by the slice, alongside an in-store bakery providing freshly baked goods and handcrafted patisserie throughout the day.

For customers on the go, the upgraded offering includes new Frank and Honest coffee machines, with a range that includes dark roast and iced coffee, breakfast and lunch options, and local favourite Nugelato ice cream.

The store also boasts a premium and expanded alcohol selection, featuring wines, beers and spirits curated for both everyday occasions and special celebrations, alongside a dedicated zero-alcohol zone.

Additional enhancements include self-serve tills, a refreshed store layout designed for quick and easy shopping trips, and a strong focus on sustainability with digital screens, energy-efficient LED lighting, upgraded refrigeration and freezers, electronic shelf-edge labels and solar panels.

Value remains a key focus for Centra customers, with hundreds of best buys available, savings of up to 40% on own-brand products, Supermarket Price Match on key everyday items with Tesco, and Epic Deals on four big-brand products, refreshed every three weeks.

The investment and new store format mark an exciting new era for The Barbican, combining modern convenience, quality food and strong value with a continued commitment to serving the local community.


MUSGRAVE CROWNS ‘STORE OF THE YEAR’ WINNERS

Centra stores have been commended for excellence at the annual Musgrave Northern Ireland ‘Store of the Year’ awards.

The Musgrave awards ceremony celebrates and recognises the achievements, hard work and dedication of its retail partners across the three brands – Centra, SuperValu and Mace.

Claiming the Centra Foodmarket Store of the Year was McPolin’s in Annaclone, scooping the title for the second consecutive year, praised for its consistent high standards and customer service alongside its focus on community retailing.

In the Centra High-Convenience category, Curry’s Centra on Curr Road, Beragh, was crowned winner, recognising its strong offer in food to go, and the exceptional work and dedication of the local team.

The ceremony also saw Wilson’s Centra Carn in Portadown, which opened in September 2025, take the title of Newcomer of the Year.

In the charity category, Moran’s Centra Strand Road in Derry~Londonderry was crowned Fundraiser of the Year for Action Cancer, raising £3,039 throughout 2025, while Toland’s Centra in Waringstown was the Excellence in Social Media category.

In the area of food safety and quality, McCloskey’s Centra Frosses Road in Cloughmills won the Exceptional Performance award while Lusty’s Centra Townparks in Larne won the Striving for Excellence title.

David Higgins, Retail Sales Director for Musgrave Northern Ireland said: “The Musgrave Store of the Year awards provide us the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements, hard work and dedication of our retail partners, across our three brands.

“I want to say a huge thank you to all our retailers who work so hard to maintain the highest standards across our brands. Congratulations to all the finalists and award winners who never fail to deliver the best customer service to communities across Northern Ireland.”

The awards ceremony was hosted by radio presenter and DJ Pete Snodden on Friday 17th April night in The Slieve Donard Hotel. Finalists are selected following several rigorous rounds of performance and standards audits, with the highest accolade being ‘Store of the Year’.


CENTRA DONEGALL SQUARE WEST UNVEILS NEW LOOK FOLLOWING MAJOR £530,000 REVAMP

Centra on Donegall Square West in Belfast has officially relaunched following a significant investment of £530,000 to refurbish the store.

Run by experienced retailer Peter Jez, the busy city centre store supports 17 jobs including three new positions and has been totally transformed to offer customers a modern new layout and more seamless shopping experience.

The investment has allowed for new and exciting additions including a wider range of meal solutions for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including an enhanced food-to-go offering at the new hot deli and fresh sandwich and salad bar, plus a ‘grab and go’ hot food counter.

Coffee lovers can enjoy a hot drink-to-go at the popular Frank and Honest coffee docks, which offer a range of coffees including iced as well as oat milk options. Shoppers can also avail of a digital loyalty app and get a free coffee after earning ten digital stamps.

Commenting at the launch of the refurbished store, owner Peter Jez said:

“We’re thrilled to reveal the transformation of our Centra store right in the heart of Belfast. This transformation offers city centre workers and shoppers a brighter, more convenient experience, packed with quality, choice, good value and great service. Known for our excellent food-to-go options, we’ve made sure the new store delivers even more of what our customers love – fresh, tasty choice, ready when they are.”

David Higgins, Retail Sales Director for Musgrave NI, which owns the Centra brand, added:

“Congratulations to our retail partner Peter on the newly refreshed store – a lot of work has gone into the transformation and it’s clear to see customers are impressed with the changes. It’s a real asset to the city centre, offering the height of convenience at great value. I’d like to wish Peter and his team all the best with the new look store and look forward to working with him into the future.”

In addition to an enhanced product range and as part of Centra’s commitment to value, shoppers will benefit from hundreds of special offer items every week.

Centra is also committed to supporting local suppliers, with Musgrave NI spending more than £240m on local food and drink annually, working with more than 3,000 local farmers, over 250 local suppliers and stocking over 6,000 local products across its stores, including the Good Food Locally Sourced range of meal solutions.

Supporting Musgrave’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the store has been refitted with energy saving technology to make operations more efficient and reduce our carbon footprint. This includes energy efficient LED lighting, top-grade energy efficient freezers and refrigeration, as well as electronic shelf edge labels which reduce paper usage.

The store also supports Centra’s charity partner Action Cancer, a local charity which delivers life-saving breast screening, health checks and skin cancer detection services to communities across Northern Ireland on its mobile detection unit the Big Bus.


Centra Culcavy unveils new look following major revamp

Musgrave NI has invested £470,000 in revamping its Centra store in Culcavy, which unveiled its fresh new look on Friday (5th December). The store, which will celebrate 20 years of serving the local community next February, supports 26 local jobs, including three new positions.

It has been transformed to offers its customers a bright and contemporary new layout and more modern shopping experience. To celebrate, the store team hosted product sampling and a spin-to-win wheel with prizes, including vouchers for five local businesses.

The major investment has allowed for new and exciting additions in store, including an increased range with more than 200 new lines, a new hot deli and fresh sandwich and salad bar, plus a ‘grab and go’ hot food counter, while a new bakery offers a wide selection of in-store baked breads and pastries.

Coffee lovers can enjoy a hot drink-to-go at the popular Frank and Honest coffee dock, which offers a free coffee after earning ten stamps on the digital loyalty app. In addition, the off licence has been revamped and now features a zero-alcohol section.

Customers can also look forward to a new Post Office service in store early next year.

Store manager Liam Houston said:

“We’ve been pulling out all the stops to get our store ready and are very proud to unveil its new look. We have been serving Culcavy village for almost 20 years, and it’s been fantastic to receive so much positive feedback from our customers. We’re looking forward to continuing to offer a great range and value, plus exceptional service for many years to come.”

Oliver Martin, Head of Musgrave’s Company Owned stores added:

“Centra has been a part of this community for many years and this investment in the store reflects our commitment to the area, and to giving our customers an enhanced shopping experience.

“Supporting local is at the heart of what we do – we spend more than £240m on local food and drink annually, and we work with more than 3,000 local farmers, partner with over 250 local suppliers and stock over 6,000 local products across our stores. We’re also committed to our partnership with Action Cancer, a local charity that visits communities across Northern Ireland with its life-saving early detection services.

“I’d like to thank our shoppers for their valued custom over the years, and we look forward to continuing to serve the community with a one-stop shop and the best in modern convenience retailing into the future.”

In addition to an enhanced product range, including the new Good Food Locally Sourced range, and as part of Centra’s commitment to value, shoppers will benefit from over 100 special offer items every week and over 300 own brand products up to 40% cheaper than better known brands. This is as well as the Epic Deals promotion on four big brand products, which change every three weeks, as well as weekly deals in the run up to Christmas.

Supporting Musgrave’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the store has also been refitted with energy saving technology to make operations more efficient and reduce our carbon footprint. This includes energy efficient LED lighting, top-grade energy efficient freezers and refrigeration, as well as electronic shelf edge labels which reduce paper usage.


CENTRA MOIRA UNVEILS NEW LOOK FOLLOWING £200K REVAMP

Musgrave NI has invested £200,000 in revamping its Centra store in Moira, which celebrated its fresh new look today (Thursday, 2nd October). The store which supports 22 jobs in the community has been transformed to offer its customers a bright and contemporary new layout and more modern shopping experience.

The investment has allowed for new and exciting additions in store including an increased range with more than 125 new lines, an improved hot deli and fresh sandwich and salad bar, alongside a new ‘grab and go’ hot food counter, plus a greater range of fresh products and meal solutions.

A new Moo’d Ice Cream counter offers a wide range of sweet treats including scoop and whippy ice cream, while the Frank and Honest coffee dock now offers the option of oat milk. Shoppers can also benefit from the digital loyalty app which offers a free coffee after earning ten digital stamps.

Store manager Emma Wray said: “We’re incredibly proud of our newly rejuvenated store – it’s a real reflection of the team’s hard work and commitment. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, and it was fantastic to celebrate with a fun-filled day for our shoppers. From food tastings to spin-to-win prizes, it was a great way to say thank you. We look forward to continuing to deliver great range, value, and exceptional service to our customers for many years to come.”

Lead operations manager David Thompson-Lyons added: “Centra is a community retailer, and we’re proud to have served the Moira community for many years. This latest investment reflects our commitment to delivering an enhanced shopping experience, with a more modern environment for our customers.

“Supporting local is at the heart of what we do – Musgrave NI invests over £240 million annually in local food and drink, working with more than 3,000 local farmers, partnering with over 250 suppliers, and offering over 6,000 local products across our stores. We’re also deeply committed to our partnership with Action Cancer, helping bring life-saving early detection services to communities across Northern Ireland.”

In addition to an enhanced product range and as part of Centra’s commitment to value, shoppers will benefit from hundreds of best buys and savings of up to 40% on own brand products, plus the Epic Deals promotion on four big brand products, which change every three weeks.

Supporting Musgrave’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, the store has also been refitted with energy saving technology to make operations more efficient and reduce our carbon footprint. This includes energy efficient LED lighting, top-grade energy efficient freezers and refrigeration, as well as electronic shelf edge labels which will reduce paper usage.


ESPRESSO WE CARE – COFFEE CAMPAIGN BREWS SUPPORT FOR LOCAL CHARITY

Centra and SuperValu to donate 50p from sales of Frank and Honest Coffee to Action Cancer Coffee lovers across Northern Ireland can make a difference with every cup as Centra and sister brand SuperValu stores launch a charity initiative in support of charity partner Action Cancer.

Starting on Wednesday, 1 st October – International Coffee Day – the campaign will run until Saturday, 4th October. During this period, 50p from every Frank and Honest Coffee sold in participating stores will be donated directly to the brands’ charity partners to help fund life-saving services and health programmes.

Now in its fifth year, the ‘Espresso We Care’ campaign has raised over £81,000 for Action Cancer, helping to keep the charity’s Big Bus mobile clinic on the road, delivering breast screenings, health checks and skin cancer detection services. Maurice Cusack, Senior Marketing Manager at Musgrave NI, which owns the retail brands, said:

“Supporting local is very important to Musgrave and our Centra and SuperValu stores. We’re proud of our long-standing partnerships with Action Cancer and we’re pleased to bring back the ‘Espresso We Care’ campaign for a fifth year. We hope our caring customers will pick up a coffee when they’re in store and help us raise funds for a charity doing vital work in communities across Northern Ireland.”

Centra and SuperValu have been partnering with Action Cancer since 2001, and earlier this year reached a landmark £4 million in fundraising for the charity. Thanking Centra and SuperValu staff and their customers, Gareth Kirk, CEO of Action Cancer said:

“We are delighted that the Espresso We Care charity fundraiser is back again this year. Thanks to the continued support of Centra and SuperValu and their generous customers, we can bring our life-saving breast screening service, skin cancer detection and health checks to communities across Northern Ireland on the Big Bus.
“Please purchase a Frank and Honest coffee to support this fantastic initiative. Not only will you enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, but you will also be helping Action Cancer make a positive difference to the lives of local people.”

Starting at £2.90 for a Frank and Honest coffee, 50p from the sale of each coffee will be donated to the charity over the four-day period.