Bird's eye view
November 27, 2010Centra Athboy is the original family business, having been established back in 1955 by Jim's father Ollie and mother Phyllis. Since then, Jim has also opened Daybreak in Athboy in 2006 as well as expanding into Navan by starting up Super Valu Beechmount that same year. In 2008, he opened another Centra store in Ballivor.
Commenting on his decision to expand the business, he notes: "Business in Athboy was going very well, so we decided to expand. We're kept busy, so things are working out well for the business so far."
Indeed, Jim is a vital employer in the local community, directly providing gainful employment to an impressive 130 people around the county. This is certainly something to be proud of and he concedes: "We are proud of our achievements, especially considering that my parents started out with just themselves and one other employee. It's still very much a family business. My wife is a director, my sister Anne works in the business and my father still keeps a close eye on me!"
No doubt, Ollie is impressed by what he sees. Of course, these are unprecedented times for the Irish economy and things have been extremely difficult in recent years. However, Jim is pleased to report that business is brisk: "It seems to have bounded back and people are realising the importance of having a local shop and are understanding the inherent Irishness of local businesses. 85% of our fresh produce is Irish. Musgraves are the parent company and they always work closely with Irish suppliers to promote Irish brands and to strike the best deal possible for the consumer. All of our beef, pork, lamb and poultry is 100% Irish, with full traceability."
It's worth stressing that all Super Valu and Centra stores in the county - not just Jim's - invest enormous amounts of money back into Meath GAA. This is one of the many reasons why it's imperative that people support their local businesses. There are good brands in store and everything is done to support Irish producers. Never before has this been more vital in our country. All Super Valu and Centra outlets in Meath are 100% behind Royal County GAA and they have put their money where their mouths are to prove this.
Despite the downturn, all four of Jim's stores continued to trade strongly throughout 2010 and he is delighted that he got through the year without having to lose a single member of staff. The hard-working retailer also points out that, rather than battening down the hatches, he always remains on the look-out for prospective new openings.
On the GAA front, he is thrilled by Super Valu and Centra's newfound status as primary sponsors of national GAA. "I'm delighted that this year through both our brands we have become involved in the All-Ireland championships as a main sponsor - Super Valu as a football sponsor and Centra in hurling. That suited our own business model perfectly in that we like to get involved in the local community and support local clubs and causes."
In 2010, in conjunction with Flood's Bar, Centra Athboy became sponsor of Clann na Gael. Super Valu have also sponsored Meath County Board's juvenile football competitions for the past five years. "I'm happy with our association with Meath GAA and happy to be able to give something back to the kids in the county, many of who's families would shop with us on a regular basis."
Jim inherited his love of Meath GAA from his father Ollie, who has attended practically every Meath match since 1949 - be it championship, league, O'Byrne Cup, challenge or pitch opening. Ollie went to the 1949 All-Ireland final on a tandem bicycle, cycling all the way to Croke Park. He has been bringing Jim with him to games since he was a nipper. A veritable Meath GAA fanatic, Ollie still travels the length and breadth of Ireland to roar on the Royals at the age of 88. Needless to say, he is hoping Meath can retain the Leinster title in 2011:
"We won the Leinster this year anyway, but it wasn't what you'd call a clean win," says Ollie. "Please God, next year we will be able to do a better job with the new management team in place. I'm delighted with the new appointment and I think Seamus McEnaney and his team can bring them forward. I can't wait for next year to come. It's going to be a very interesting time for Meath."
Jim echoes those sentiments, stating: "I would be looking forward to 2011 and I hope Seamus can build on the progress Eamonn O'Brien made. I'm hoping that with the advantage of not being Navan-based, the new manager will look at players from outside the town and expand the panel. That might give players the impetus to up their game - both existing members of the panel and others who know they have a chance of forcing their way into contention. The result should be an improvement in the quality of football across the county as a whole.
"I'd be hoping for another Leinster championship at least and hopefully Meath can bring back the glory years. A Meath / Dublin All-Ireland final would be brilliant. Failing that, Meath against Cork would be the next best thing!
"The County Board has shown ambition in appointing the new management team and they deserve credit for that. They are also to be commended for being so open about the cost. Those figures are usually swept under the carpet, but Meath have set a precedent and they deserve a lot of credit for being so open." Tweet
