30|Retail News|March 2012|www.retailnews.ie
Centra Quality Awards
Centra Retailers Clean Up in Hygiene Awards No fewer than 346 Centra stores were rewarded for exemplary hygiene standards at the 2012 Centra Quality Awards. 65 Centra Stores were presented with the Supreme National Hygiene Award by Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Centra and Irene Collins, Managing Director, Excellence Ireland Quality Association, at the 2012 Centra Quality Awards presentations held in Killarney recently. The Supreme Hygiene Award identifies and rewards retailers that have performed to a consistently high level over a three-year period. Year-on-year, these entrepreneurial food retailers continue to push out the boundaries of excellence. In addition, a further 281 stores were presented with the Excellence Ireland National Hygiene and Food Safety Certificate, which is independent verification of the highest standards of operational hygiene and food safety in the food sector business. A total of 346 Centra Stores in the Republic of Ireland have achieved the National Hygiene and Food Safety Certificate, demonstrating the huge importance Centra retailers attach to rigorous quality and food safety measures.
Dedication & Commitment
Commenting at the awards ceremony, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Centra, said: “The Centra Quality Awards recognise the dedication and commitment of Centra retailers around Ireland, to delivering the highest standards of hygiene, food safety and quality, in all aspects of their business. “With almost 350 Awards and Certificates presented, it is clear that the Centra ethos of quality and superior customer service is at the core of our retailers’ businesses,” he continued. “I have seen how our retailers operate on a daily basis and I am delighted to see their hard work in achieving such levels of excellence recognised.” Irene Collins, Managing Director of Excellence Ireland Quality Association, added: “The Hygiene Mark indicates that a business complies with the highest standards of hygiene and food safety within their given industry. Within the Irish food sector, the retail market currently dominates the field in terms of food hygiene and quality compliance. Centra has earned a well-deserved reputation, demonstrating the significant importance attached to implementing and maintaining meticulous quality and food safety standards.”
Pictured receiving the Supreme National Hygiene Award from Martin Kelleher, Centra Managing Director, and Irene Collins, Managing Director of EIQA, are Claire Bermingham and Conor Scally, from Scally’s Centra, Arden Rd, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
Ian Allen (left), Centra Sales Director, and Soraid McEntee (right), EIQA, present Fred and Chris Down, Down’s Centra, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, with the Excellence Ireland National Hygiene and Food Safety Certificate.
Joe and Pamela Deasy, from Deasy’s Centra, Clarecastle, Ennis, Co. Clare, receive the Excellence Ireland National Hygiene and Food Safety Certificate from Martin Kelleher, Centra Managing Director, and Irene Collins, Managing Director of EIQA.