Sailing towards gold

Nigel Scully, head of sales, The National Lottery, David Vaz, circulation manager, The Irish Daily Mail and Peter Jackson, managing director, Aryzta Food Solutions Ireland; present the Gold Award for Stores between 4,000 - 8,000 sq ft to Bernard Lynch from Lynch's Centra, Crosshaven

Bernard Lynch of Lynch's Centra, Crosshaven, explains to David Corscadden what winning the gold award in the 4,000 - 8,000 sq category at this year's C-Store Awards meant to him and his team following a successful 2013

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PROFILE

Address: Lynch’s Centra
Crosshaven,
Co. Cork

Owner: Bernard Lynch
Size: 5,900 sq feet
Staff: 33; mixture of full and part-time

Having been in business in Crosshaven for over 12 years now, 2013 has proven to be a hugely successful year for Bernard Lynch and his team at Lynch’s Centra. A dedication to delivering high standards and focusing on the community are the key driving forces behind the store as it moves into 2014.

Focusing on the customer

In the maritime village of Crosshaven, Lynch explains the store must cater for two different demographics during the year. Summer sees a huge influx of tourists while the winter months are quieter with the local community making up the customer base. "In the summer time we get a lot of the sailing community in and then in winter it is very much based around the community here itself," explains Lynch.

For the neighbourhood supermarket, Lynch believes that supporting the local community and shop local campaigns is vitally important. Support from the Musgrave Group as a retail partner has ensured the store can avail of services and promotions that will speak to the community. Within the local area the store has become "the heart of the community", according to Lynch. Involvement with local organisations such as St. Vincent De Paul and the RNLI has driven home this message.

The creation of a local triathlon over ten years ago has been a key aspect in building community spirit while also supporting local services. On the annual event Lynch says: "We started up a triathlon here ten years ago, this is our eleventh year running it and it was about raising funds for much needed community services and it has gotten bigger and better and is now recognised as one of the best in the community and we have raised €150,000 so far."

A winning standard

For Lynch, who has been involved with retail since 1984, enjoyment in his work and a commitment to delivering a quality service is first and foremost for him. It is also something that he has instilled in his staff which he believes helped them to win the gold award at this year’s C-Store Awards. Lynch believes that this also comes across to every customer who leaves the store, saying: "People come out of the store and recognise that they come out with real value from the people they met, to the standards within the store and the price that they got." This is helped by a team that is interested and committed to the store, as Lynch says: "There are high standards but staff are interested and committed to their job here and I think that is what makes a difference."

Going the extra mile for the customer has ensured that shoppers feel a real connection with the store. "Everything from bringing customers home who have no shopping but just need a lift up the hill to looking after people, the Centra here in Crosshaven would be seen as the heart of the community," explains Lynch. For Lynch and his team, winning awards is confirmation that they are doing something right that is valued within the sector and more importantly, the local community.

Continued investment

Coming into 2014, Lynch believes focusing on what was important in 2013 and ensuring a continued dedication to the community will help the store drive forward. Lynch reckons this will create a formula that is hard to beat saying: "It is important to keep the standards right, to keep the value right, to keep the offering and to keep doing what we are doing in the community. I believe that by having that and by delivering on that mix, we have something that is very hard to beat."

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