Molloys Liquor Store, Clondalkin named NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year
NOffLA renews calls for Irish excise rates to be brought in line with European levels
Print1 February 2024
The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has revealed the winners of its annual Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2024, which are now in their 28th year. The awards were presented at the Honourable Society of King’s Inns on Monday, 29 January.
NOffLA, which was established in 1991, represents independent specialist off-licences across Ireland, with the sector representing 5,900 jobs in 26 counties. The awards recognise and showcase the excellence of independent off-licences and highlight those retailers that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards.
NOffLA chairman, Cathal McHugh, praised the standard of entrants this year, noting: “We are delighted to celebrate the NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards, which recognise the finest of community retailing and all that is great about the independent off-licence sector. NOffLA members deliver high standards of service to their customers, representing the genuine essence of ‘shopping local’.
“This has been an extraordinary time for small businesses, with inflation and growing prices affecting NOffLA members and the wider retail sector,” McHugh added. “The government may provide an immediate lifeline to these local enterprises by reducing alcohol tax rates, which remain the highest in Europe.
“We’ve had Minimum Unit Pricing in place for over two years now, which stops alcohol from being sold at dangerously low costs, meaning that Ireland’s excise scheme is no longer justifiable on the basis of public health. And, with the State already receiving record tax revenues, it is time for the government to alleviate the persistent cost pressures on firms by bringing excise rates in line with European levels.”
The awards, which included 46 finalists, saw Molloys Liquor Store in Clondalkin awarded ‘National Off-Licence of the Year 2024’, Nolan’s of Clontarf awarded ‘Responsible Retailer of the Year 2024’ and 64 Wine, Glasthule awarded ‘Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2024’.
All 46 finalists were awarded certificates of ‘Excellence’ and a Customer Service Award based on their performance. Other awards on the night included:
- The 19 Crimes Best First Time Entrant 2024 – Number 21 Dungarvan
- The Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2024 –64 Wine, Glasthule
- The El Coto Customer Service Award of the Year 2024 – The Vintry, Rathgar
- The Redbreast Spirit Specialist of the Year 2024 – O’Donovan’s Off-Licence, Riversdale Midleton
- The Guinness Beer Specialist of the Year 2024 – Molloys Liquor Store – The Liberties
- The Dona Paula Wine Specialist of the Year 2024 – McHugh’s Artane
- The Jack Daniels Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2024– Carry Out Tramore
- The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Connacht/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2024 – Dicey’s Off-Licence, Donegal
- The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2024 – The Wine Centre, Kilkenny
- The Bacardi Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2024 – McHugh’s Kilbarrack
- The NOffLA RTC Online Trainees of the Year 2024 – Peyton Tuomi, Blackrock Cellar, Arthur Halligan, Carry Out, Tramore and Cian Roche, Gibney’s of Malahide
- The NOffLA Responsible Retailer of the Year 2024 – Nolan’s of Clontarf
Judging for the awards involves an examination of over 100 aspects of each entrant’s business. Final awards were allocated following this process.
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