Getting to know Claire at Sugar Quay Newry.

To celebrate the recent reopening of our new & improved Sugar Quay Newry store following the flooding in the area back in October 2023, we’re doing some getting to knows with the team in store & there is no better person to kick things off than with Claire, our store manager. 

 

 

Hey Claire, give us a little introduction to you!

Hi I’m Claire, I’m the manager of Synge&Byrne Sugar Quay in Newry. I live local, and if you’re from Newry, the chances are, you’ve probably seen me driving past in my Synge&Byrne Jimmy Jeep.

 

How long have you worked for Synge&Byrne?

I’m with S&B coming up to 9 years in November this year!

 

Have you always worked at the Sugar Quay store?

No. I’ve popped up in a few places! I’ve worked in Kilbroney & Slieve Gullion forest parks for some brief periods. But I’ve also helped out in other stores such as Rushmere, Boucher and even as far as Galway and Glenveagh National Park in Donegal.

 

What’s your all time favourite lunch at S&B?

A loaded salad bowl with cous cous, pesto pasta & zingy slaw and a nice strong americano on the side!

 

Tell us who’s your top regular’s & what is their orders?

I’ve too many but definitely my morning regulars such as Paula who gets a flat white, Paul who gets an americano & not forgetting Loretta from Lorsha upstairs who gets a cappuccino or sometimes an americano.

 

What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day?

Sitting on my sofa with a glass of red (or maybe just the bottle) and sometimes even a wee Indian from Spice of India – if you don’t know get to know 😉

 

A bit of a look back for you but almost 10 months on, what was your reaction to the flooding in your store back in October?

Devastating, not really many other words for it. I felt helpless at the time when it was happening, as I was seeing pictures and videos being posted and could do nothing. Finally when we were able to get in, it was just shocking, to see how high the water had got & the damage that was caused. Just awful, but thankfully we have come out the other end!

 

On a brighter note, how are you & your team finding the new & improved store?

Aww I love it!! Even seeing the customers reacting to it is just class. We have bigger & brighter store and finally a big kitchen (that Renata loves!) and not forgetting my new baby..the shiny new coffee machine!

 

What’s the top #HappyMoment of your time with S&B so far?

Definitely has to be our managers day away back in 2020. We were away to the Wildwood in Carlingford for the night. We had a great team meeting during the day and lots of activities, followed that evening with sitting in an outdoor hut with wine in hand and a class view of the lough and lots of craic with all of our managers across S&B. There has been lots since, but that one really stands out.

 

Lastly to finish up, what adventures do you see you & your S&B Jimmy taking you on for the rest of this year?

I’ve never been to our store in Mayo, so I’d love a wee visit over there, for the day to visit Imelda and steal some mint from her lovely herb garden!