Local grocer marks 70 years serving Broughshane community

Sandra Currie (left), Store Manager, and Andrew Thompson (right) Assistant Manager at McNeill’s ViVOXTRA, Broughshane celebrate 70 years of their business with James and Margaret McNeill (centre), alongside shoppers and the local community.

A Broughshane family grocery business that began with a delivery van in the mid-1950s is celebrating an extraordinary 70 years serving local households — a milestone that reflects not just business success, but deep roots in community life.

Well-known local grocer James McNeill has been looking back on seven decades of service to shoppers across the Ballymena area, charting the journey from humble beginnings to a thriving modern supermarket run today by the next generation of the family.

The story began in 1955 when Mr McNeill operated a grocery van, delivering everyday essentials to homes across the area and offering a trusted and convenient service for local families.

Just a year later, the family purchased a commercial property on Main Street in Broughshane. That building still stands today as a ViVOXTRA supermarket, now run by James’s son, Alistair McNeill.

Reflecting on the milestone, Mr McNeill paid tribute to the customers who have supported the family business across the decades.

“The support our family business has received from our local shoppers, who are also neighbours we have known for decades, has been immeasurable”, he said.

“This anniversary is a celebration for us, but also a thank you from our family to those who have grown with our businesses over the years and chosen to get their everyday essentials from us.”

Over the years the family has invested around £5 million in the store through several refits and extensions, expanding services and facilities for local shoppers.

The most recent transformation came in August 2023, when the supermarket underwent a refurbishment designed to modernise operations and improve the shopping experience.

Sandra Currie (left), Store Manager, and Andrew Thompson (right) Assistant Manager at McNeill’s ViVOXTRA, Broughshane honour James and Margaret McNeill (centre) and their 70 years of local business.

Alistair McNeill explained that the upgrade introduced a range of improvements aimed at both staff and customers.

“The supermarket’s most recent refurbishment was in August 2023 where we injected new life into the store, bringing efficiency for our team with electronic shelf edge labelling, and for our shoppers with better navigation throughout the store and the introduction of self-check-outs,” he said.

“We are proud to continue to provide locally sourced fresh groceries, with many sourced from farms and fields mere miles from our store, including potatoes from Gilbert Hood in Broughshane and Dougies Goodies, The Pastry Box, RJ Kerr’s Bakery and Barr’s Butchers, all based in Ballymena.”

Today McNeill’s ViVOXTRA employs 35 staff from the local area, and the team is also closely involved in supporting charities and organisations important to the community.

One cause particularly close to the store’s heart is Cancer Fund for Children, ViVOXTRA’s charity partner.

Alistair added that the generosity of both staff and customers has helped raise thousands of pounds for charity in recent years.

“Our team and shoppers are so generous with their time and donations to our charitable giving. In the past two years, we have been very proud to donate £7,300 to Friends of the Cancer Centre.

“While our family has been at the heart of our business since the doors opened, it is our loyal shoppers and neighbours who have kept us open and helped us grow and evolve our offering.

“We have celebrated with everyone and offered anniversary deals across various high demand products and everyday essentials, with shoppers taking home a limited-edition McNeill’s ViVOXTRA anniversary special woven shopper tote!”

As the family marks seven decades in business, the story of McNeill’s remains closely tied to the people and place it serves — a reminder of how a small local delivery service grew into a cornerstone of everyday life in Broughshane.

At a glance

• Broughshane grocer James McNeill is celebrating 70 years serving the local community.

• The business began in 1955 with a grocery delivery van operating around Ballymena.

• The family purchased a Main Street property in 1956, now operating as a ViVOXTRA supermarket.

• The store is currently run by James’s son, Alistair McNeill.

• Around £5 million has been invested in refits and extensions over the years, including a major refurbishment in August 2023.

• The supermarket employs 35 local staff and sources many products from nearby farms and food producers.

• Staff and shoppers have helped raise £7,300 for Friends of the Cancer Centre in the past two years.