From grocery van to village institution: Retail legend James McNeill marks 70 years in business

Broughshane retail legend, James McNeill

At a time when independent retailers across Northern Ireland are under intense pressure — facing rising operating costs, staffing challenges and competition from national chains — one family-run business in Co Antrim is marking a milestone that speaks to resilience, community and quiet determination.

This weekend, Broughshane shopkeeper James McNeill will celebrate an extraordinary 70 years in business, a rare achievement in modern retail and a testament to a lifetime of service at the heart of village life.

Now aged 88, James remains a familiar presence behind the counter, continuing a journey that began when he was just 14 years old, navigating rural roads in a grocery van and selling essentials such as tea and sugar to isolated households across the Antrim countryside.

From country roads to Main Street

James aged 14 when he first began his trade in Broughshane

James’ working life began in Ballymena in the early 1950s, where he secured a job in a grocery shop. Opportunity soon followed when his employer’s brother, who operated a grocery van, fell ill.

In a 2020 interview with Belfast Telegraph journalist Leona O’Neill, James explained:

“When I was 14 years old I got a job in a grocery shop in Ballymena. During my time there, the boss’s brother had a grocery van out around the country. He had to go into hospital and no one would take on his van run so I volunteered.”

That experience proved pivotal. With encouragement from his father, James acquired his own van from Ballymena man William Wright in February 1955.

“My first stock in the van came to a total of £60. I paid it off at £10 a week for six weeks.”

The work was demanding, long before refrigeration or modern tills.

“The tea came in big wooden chests, the sugar came in big bags… everything had to be weighed up. There was an awful lot of work involved back then.”

An old family photo of James McNeill (on right) with his delivery van for the grocery store

A shop — and a story that became local folklore

Just a year later, in 1956, a small shop in Broughshane came on the market. James and his wife Margaret, whom he has been married to for 65 years, took the leap.

“My wife Margaret and her aunt painted and decorated it and we opened.”

Early teething problems quickly became village legend, including an incident involving £18 left for a bread deliveryman.

“One day the bin was lifted and the contents burned, including the £18… a wise person in Broughshane said that the last shop was closing because they had no money and that James McNeill was only open a week or two and he had money to burn already!”

The shop survived — and thrived. Within a few years, James expanded into hardware, a move he describes as “a huge success”. Thirty years ago, with housing developments growing around Broughshane, the family made another major investment by purchasing the property between the two shops to build a modern supermarket.

“The shop we had was not capable of dealing with all the people, so very sensibly we built the new place — and it has worked very well.”

A business built on family and staff

Still going strong!

The McNeill business has always been a family affair. Today, two of James’ sons lead operations.

“Our two sons Alistair and John work in the shop now. Alistair runs the grocery store and John runs hardware.”

James is quick to praise both staff and family, stressing that respect and equality underpin everything.

“One of the big things about staff is keeping them at the same level as yourself. Our staff know that they are very well thought of and treated decently and we get the same service from them.”

Margaret’s contribution has also been central. After the original postmistress fell ill, she stepped in to run the Post Office within the shop — a role she held for around 35 years.

Customers first — always

James credits loyal customers for sustaining the business across generations.

“We had families who would shop with us when we first started… we have an older generation who have been loyal customers over the decades but also a completely new rising generation too.”

The relationship goes far beyond transactions.

“We have customers of a certain age for whom we get their shopping, get them into a car and take them home.

“That doesn’t happen in bigger places.”

Deliveries of groceries, coal and gardening equipment remain part of daily operations, reinforcing the store’s role as a true community hub.

Keeping up with the times

Despite his traditional values, James is clear that change has been essential to survival — and admits that listening to younger voices has paid dividends.

“John and Alistair thought a food counter would really work, and I didn’t think it was wise. I was utterly and completely wrong.”

James McNeill, owner of McNeill's Hardware store and the Vivo Xtra store in Broughshane

The hardware department has also been modernised.

“You name it, we do it. A customer came in one day looking for something and said ‘you probably don’t have this’ and I said ‘if we don’t have it, you don’t need it’.”

Words to live by

James attributes much of his success to advice from his father on the day he began his van run.

“One clean pound will always be better than 100 dirty ones.

“If you can’t pay, don’t buy.

“Treat other people the way you would want to be treated yourself.”

He says those principles have guided him throughout his career — and still do.

Quick-fire questions: James McNeill at 88

In a lighter moment during his Belfast Telegraph interview, James shared a few personal favourites:

• Tea or coffee? I like both

• Online store or bricks-and-mortar? Bricks and mortar, because you have personal contact with the customer

• Christmas or Easter? Christmas every time

• Retail hero/heroine? The late Mollie Colwell, who worked with us for 50 years

• Favourite type of shop? A general-purpose place where you can buy a loaf of bread or a handsaw

• Favourite TV show? Last of the Summer Wine

• Favourite book? A book by the Rev Earnest Porter — “very good for advice”

• Favourite singer? Church music or country and western

• Best piece of advice? “Not to buy another grocery van, but buy a shop instead”

Still no plans to retire

James outside the hardware store, preparing to mark 70 years in business and at the heart of village life in Broughshane

Despite repeated questions about stepping back, James insists retirement is not on the horizon.

“I’ve no intentions yet of retiring,” he said.

“I would be asked very often ‘what age are you?’ and ‘no word of you retiring?’ So I just tell the same answer to them all.”

Community celebration planned

James and his staff will mark the milestone with a special community celebration at the village store on Saturday, 7 February, from 11am to 3pm.

The business said:

“70 years in business and still going strong!

If you’re in Broughshane on Saturday 7 February between 11am and 1pm feel free to join James for tea and a chat to celebrate an incredible 70 years in business.”

Among those sending congratulations was North Antrim MP Jim Allister, who said:

“Many congratulations to the Broughshane institution that is James McNeill.”

In an era when many independent retailers feel unsupported and overstretched, James McNeill’s story stands as a reminder that community trust, hard work and adaptability can still carry a business across generations.