Monday 30 January 22:00: The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has announced the winners of its annual Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2023 which is now in its twenty-seventh year. The Awards were held at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns.
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.
Speaking about the Awards and the standard of entries this year, NOffLA Chairman, Gary O’Donovan said: “We are thrilled to finally be back in-person celebrating the NOffLA Off-Licence of the Year Awards, which champion the very best of community retailing and all that is great about the independent off-licence sector. NOffLA members provide exceptional standards of service to their customers and exemplify the true ethos of ‘shopping local’.
“This has been an unprecedented year for small businesses however, with inflation and rising costs impacting NOffLA members and the wider hospitality sector. Government can implement an immediate lifeline to these businesses through a reduction in alcohol excise rates, which remain the highest in Europe.
“We have had Minimum Unit Pricing in place for a year, a pricing floor that now prevents alcohol from being retailed at dangerously low prices meaning Ireland’s excise regime is no longer justified on the grounds of public health. And with the State now taking in record levels of tax receipts, it is time for Government to ease the unrelenting cost pressures on all hospitality businesses by bringing excise rates in line with European levels.”
The Awards, which included 46 finalists, saw McHugh’s Off-Licence, Malahide Road awarded ‘National Off-Licence of the Year 2023’, O’Donovans Off-Licence Group awarded ‘Responsible Retailer of the Year 2023’ and 64 Wine Glasthule awarded ‘Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2023’.
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 2023 – Carry Out Muckross Road, Killarney
The Peroni Nastro Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2023 – 64 Wine Glasthule
The El Coto Customer Service Award of the Year 2022 – Molloys Liberties
The Redbreast Spirit Specialist of the Year 2023 – The Vintry, Rathgar
The Guinness Beer Specialist of the Year 2023 – Carry Out Tramore
The Dona Paula Wine Specialist of the Year 2023 – Jus De Vine Portmarnock
The Hennessy Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 – Galvins Carry Out Carrigaline
The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Connacht/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 – Daly’s Drinks, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2023 – The Wine Centre Kilkenny
The Bombay Sapphire Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2023 – Martin’s Off-Licence, Fairview
The NOffLA RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2023 – Emily McEntee, C. McEntee’s, Kells, Co. Meath
The NOffLA Responsible Retailer of the Year 2023 – O’Donovans Off-Licence Group
The NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year 2023 – McHugh’s Off-Licence, Malahide Road
Judging for the Awards involves an examination of over 100 aspects of each entrant’s business. Final awards were allocated following this process.