Mr. Richard Nolan:

Nolan's Supermarket has been trading successfully in Clontarf since 1955. It is a family run business and an independent operator, with no affiliation to any of the major symbol groups. It is one of a very small group of retailers of this type left in the country. The neighbourhood shopping centre in Clontarf includes a supermarket, an off-licence, a newsagent, a coffee shop, a hardware and garden centre all run by the Nolan family. It also includes a hairdressing salon and a dry cleaners which are operated on a lease basis. It provides some 30,000 sq. ft. of retail and storage space. We currently employ 125 full-time and part-time staff. Because of the type of business and the service Nolan's hopes to provide per square foot and per euro of turnover, we employ more people than any Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi or Lidl store of similar size.

I have been directing the company for the past 30 years, during which time there has been considerable expansion of the neighbourhood shopping complex. I have always valued the independence of the family business and strongly believe a hands-on approach and flexibility are the key to our ongoing business success. We are very proud of our superb staff and the level of service we provide for our customers. In this regard we are not just about providing a retail experience; it is not unusual for people visiting Dublin from overseas to comment and say to me they have no access to a similar local facility and that they have to travel miles to do their shopping.

We are very much part of the fabric of the local community in Clontarf. We place considerable emphasis on the quality of our fresh food offering and the range of products stocked. We are ardent and active supporters of all things Irish. We provide exceptional support, with a no strings attached attitude towards Irish artisan producers. This is the simple ethos of the company to excel in customer service and quality.