Dromore native Geoff Moore has spent 25 years working in convenience retail across Northern Ireland. He got his first summer part-time job at 16 and by 19 was promoted to store manager. Now, with Ulster Bank support, the seasoned retailer has proudly taken over ownership of his very first neighbourhood shop as part of a six-figure investment.

The 39-year-old has acquired Harry’s Country Store in Kinallen, outside Dromara, which has been serving the local community since 1989 and is part of the Nearby family, the convenience store franchise owned by retail distributor Savage & Whitten.

Alongside the daily essentials, the store, now named Steady Eddie’s in memory of Geoff’s late father, employs nine staff and benefits from a small forecourt, a post office, and maintains a popular fresh fruit and vegetable market.

Geoff takes over the reins from former owners Anne and Denis Biggerstaff, the popular motorsport enthusiast whose aptly named ‘Biggerstaff Barn’ houses an extensive collection of motoring memorabilia that is open to the public to help raise funds for local charities.

“Denis is a pillar of the community,” Geoff said.

“I’d always wanted to run my own store. I said that if I hadn’t taken the leap by the time I’m 40 then I probably never will. Well, I’m 40 this year. When I first heard Denis was hoping to retire, the opportunity to continue what he started was almost too good to be true.”

The first-time owner took a brief hiatus from retail in 2019 when he began coaching at Dromore Rugby Club while also taking on groundskeeping duties and managing its bar in the evenings.

“I did consider making the coaching a full-time thing,” Geoff said.

“I was also coaching rugby at Jordanstown and we managed to get to the league final for the first time in many years. Then Covid hit. That was a real eye-opener. Everything closed, but essential retail remained open.

“It reminded me of just how important the local shop is for so many. It’s not just the product on the shelf. There’s the community aspect and the social interaction that comes with it. That’s why I decided to get back into retail and why a store like the one Anne and Denis had built really struck a chord with me.”

Ulster Bank business development manager Derick Wilson said the bank is investing as much in Geoff as it is in the store itself.

“There’s no doubt about it, Harry’s Country Store is a well-established local business with a loyal customer base and strong year-round trade. But this investment is as much about our confidence in Geoff as it is about the brick and mortar of the store. He has proven time and time again his ability to add value and boost trade. It’s this energy he’ll be bringing to Harry’s to further develop a store whose previous owners built on strong community-focused foundations.”

Among Geoff’s plans for Harry’s is the introduction of an off licence.

“We’ll continue to make small tweaks and improvements throughout the store, at all times maintaining the best value. I’m very mindful that this is still a country store, so price is so important. One of the bigger ambitions though is to introduce an alcohol offering. Over the years I’ve project managed three off licence builds in convenience retail and I’ve seen how well they boost footfall and sales.”

Harry’s Country Store is open daily and is located at 166 Banbridge Road, Dromara, Kinallen, Dromore.

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