Nolans 'chuffed' at win

"It's completely down to the wonderful staff we have, and to my father who built up the business from scratch."

It is typical of James Nolan to step back from the success of the recent national award won in the FBD Retail Excellence Awards 2008. And all who know him appreciate that the sentiments expressed above are felt from the heart. But the truth is, the magnificent butcher shop on Main Street which scooped top place in the Large Retail Store category in the Awards is the fulfillment of James's own dream for the business from the time he began working in it as a youngster.

It was opened almost exactly two years ago after an extensive building programme, During which the business temporarily transferred two doors down to the shop where James's grandfather set up the family's first butcher stall. The development provided a brand new abbatoir and meat processing plant under one roof, directly accessing the new state-of-art shop which has now proved to be the best of its kind in the country.

"I was told I was mad to spend the money on the property in the middle of town, that it was much more valuable for other purposes," he says. "But this was a place to suit our customers, and the town itself."

The Nolan roots in Kilcullen run deep, and so is the family's commitment to the town, and that's where James's own focus is. It's also why so many of the business's staff have been there for so long -- many over 20 years -- because the sense of loyalty is infectious right across the enterprise.

Go into Nolans, and you're in a fine shop, wonderfully stocked and presented. More important, though, whichever part of the counter you go to, whether your need is fresh meats of all kinds, cooked meats, fish, or accessories like wine and vegetables, you get a top class shopping experience.

"The people behind the counter know their stuff, are there to help you ... and are never pushy," one regular customer sums up why she is a regular, and why four out of five shoppers on any given day are repeat customers.

But the other reason is because those who shop in Nolans know the quality will always be at the top of the class. Because the tradition established by Andy Nolan, of buying from only the best farmers in the area, of finishing animals on their own farm and then doing the killing themselves, is now even more under the enterprise's control.

James recalls the night of the presentation itself as 'like being at the Oscars'. "There were six stores in our category and when Miriam O'Callaghan finally announced our name, it was like my numbers coming up in the Lottery, or winning the Challenge Race at Punchestown. I was just so surprised and chuffed."

It was the second 'run' for the shop at the competition. Last year Nolans got into the Top 50. And when he went up to get his certificate for that, James quipped to Miriam O'Callaghan that he'd 'be back next year to win'.

"When I went up this time, she remembered that," James says with a grin. "Actually, I'm told that it is very rare for a store to move from the top 50 into the top 24 in a year, let alone become the winner. We did a few things over the year than made the place a bit warmer looking, and improved presentation. But the big thing according to the 'mystery shopper' report was the atmosphere in the place along with the service. She said there was 'a great buzz' amongst the staff, and their interaction with the customers."

James says the win is also very good for Kilcullen itself, as it focusses attention on a town which has a great range of very good and unique retail businesses. "Look at Bernard Berney's Pharmacy next door, a lovely new shop; and there's Ger Peacocke's shoe repairs, Bardons pub, Fallons and Paul's restaurants, Berneys Saddlery, and many more."

It has been a really great year for James Nolan, with his outstanding performance in the Transplant Games -- he had a kidney transplant many years ago and constantly fundraises for kidney research -- and his engagement to Emma McHenry. "I didn't think it could get any better, but here we win this, and it really put the icing on the cake."

Brian Byrne.