News Page 1 - ROI

COMMUNITY NEWS – MAY 2026

A local shop for the local community: The story behind Nearby Millisle.

With a focus on giving local people more choice, supporting local suppliers and creating a welcoming place to shop, Nearby Millisle has quickly become an important part of its community.

Since opening its doors, the store has established itself as much more than a convenience shop. It offers everyday essentials alongside local products, friendly service and a genuine commitment to supporting the people of Millisle.

Built around the community.

From the outset, the vision for Nearby Millisle was to create a store that reflected the needs of local people while championing local suppliers wherever possible.

That commitment has helped build strong relationships with customers and producers alike, creating a shopping experience that is rooted in the local community.

Store owner Megan Mann said:

"We are trying to really support local suppliers and support those in Northern Ireland, and we've had lots of support in return."

A successful partnership.

Bringing a brand-new store to life is no small task, but the team behind Nearby Millisle say the support from Nearby made the journey much smoother.

From planning through to opening day, the project came together quickly, allowing the store to begin serving the community sooner than expected.

Reflecting on the experience, Megan said:

"Everything came together so quickly and honestly, it was just what we needed. We had had the building for a few months and had thought it was over before we had even got started. Everything came together so quickly, it's like a well-oiled machine."

Putting customers first.

At the heart of Nearby Millisle is a simple philosophy – put the community first.

The team has created a welcoming environment where customers are greeted by name, supported with friendly service and can find the products they need close to home.

As Megan explains:

"It's about getting to know people and we genuinely care. That is what I told the staff when we started. I really emphasised that to them – we are a local shop for the local community."

That approach has already earned positive feedback from shoppers, particularly those who value having a modern convenience store at the heart of the town.

Looking to the future.

The team behind Nearby Millisle is already planning for the future, with ambitions to expand the fresh food offering, introduce a wider butcher range and potentially add a deli counter.

By continuing to invest in the store while staying true to its community-first approach, Nearby Millisle is building a business designed to serve local people for years to come.

Congratulations to the team at Nearby Millisle.

We're proud to celebrate the success of Nearby Millisle and the passion that has gone into creating a store that truly puts its community first. Congratulations to everyone involved, and we look forward to seeing the store continue to grow.