Finch’s SPAR Millburn in Cookstown has celebrated 15 years as a SPAR store, marking the anniversary with a community fun day for local shoppers.
The store, which originally opened in 2006, began trading under the SPAR fascia in 2011 and is owned and operated by Jonathan and Michelle Finch. The Finch family also operates three other SPAR stores in Cookstown, Whitehead and Newry.
Over the past 15 years, the Finch family has invested £400,000 in the business, funding a series of refurbishments and improvements to its services and product offer.
The most recent major investment came in 2023, when SPAR Millburn underwent a transformation that included a new deli counter serving hot breakfast and lunch to go, new refrigeration, flooring and lighting, as well as self-checkouts and new fuel pumps.
The investment also resulted in the addition of 10 members to the Millburn team.
Alongside its retail operations, the store has maintained a strong focus on supporting the local community, including schools and sports teams, as well as fundraising for local charities.
Over the years, the team has raised more than £10,000 through activities including bake sales, raffles and tea mornings, with staff across the store taking part.
For 2026, the store has selected Charis Cancer Care, a local cancer care centre based in Cookstown, as its main charity focus. It is supporting and sponsoring events to raise funds for the organisation.
The anniversary was marked with a community fun day in August, featuring special lunch deals and giveaways, with prizes including a television, Echo Dot and kettle and toaster set.
Michelle Finch, store owner, said the local community was “central to everything we do”.
She added: “Our team decided that we wanted our anniversary to be about our community and celebrating with them. Our fun day was a great way to show our appreciation to our loyal shoppers and thank them for their support over the years.”
Richard Ash, sales director at Henderson Group, which owns the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland, congratulated the Finch family and SPAR Millburn team on the anniversary.
He said the store was “such an integral part of their local community” and wished the team continued success.