Kilkenny Wine Centre wins 'Leinster Off-Licence of the Year' award, again!

The Wine Centre in Kilkenny City has been crowned The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 at this year's National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) Awards.

The renowned John Street establishment fought off some stiff competition once again to claim the award for a remarkable ninth time in ten years!

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Speaking about the awards and the standard of entries this year, Gary O’Donovan, chairman, NOffLA, said, "The impact of the pandemic and closure of the hospitality sector for the best part of two years has had a devastating impact on the wider drinks sector. Their lack of trade has also had significant knock-on implications for our suppliers, as the overall industry has declined significantly.

"In this context, Government must now seriously consider policy measures to assist the sector to get back on its feet and this must start with Irish excise rates – which remain the highest in Europe."

According to NOffLA, judging for the awards involves an examination of over 100 aspects of each entrant’s business and the process was altered this year to align with Government Covid-19 guidelines.

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Notable 2022 Award Winners:

The Champagne Ayala Best First Time Entrant 2022 - Carry Out Ballinasloe
The Peroni Nastro Food Retailer Off-Licence of the Year 2022 - 64 Wine Glasthule
The El Coto Customer Service Award of the Year 2022 - Molloys Clondalkin
The Redbreast Spirit Specialist of the Year 2022 - Higgins Off-Licence Clonskeagh
The Guinness Beer Specialist of the Year 2022 - James Redmond & Sons Ranelagh
The Dona Paula Wine Specialist of the Year 2022 - Jus De Vine Portmarnock
The Hennessy Munster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 - Carry Out The Reeks Killarney
The Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin Connacht/Ulster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – Dice's Off-Licence Ballyshannon
The Alpha Zeta Leinster Off-Licence of the Year 2022 - The Wine Centre Kilkenny
The Bombay Sapphire Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – McHugh's Off-Licence Malahide Road
The NOffLA RTC Online Trainee of the Year 2022 – Robert O'Brien, McHugh's Off-Licence Malahide Road
The NOffLA Responsible Retailer of the Year 2022 – O'Donovans Off-Licence Group
The NOffLA National Off-Licence of the Year 2022 – Galvins Carry Out Carrigaline

According to NOffLA, the awards recognise and showcase excellence in the independent off-licence sector, which represents 315 specialist businesses throughout the country.

The awards highlight those retailers that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards, it added.

Usually held at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns, the awards were hosted online again this year, with plans to return to the in-person ceremony for next year’s event.

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