New Mica members Eric and Margaret Moore have opened a brand new DIY store in the town of Aghagallon, County Armagh.
The new store, which the couple will be running with their son Robert, sells hardware, plumbing, electrical, gardening, tools and decorating products as well as offering a key cutting service. Eric Moore, who came out of retirement in order to open the store, said: "There is a great community spirit in the parade, and I thought the local residents deserved an even better shopping experience.

"We already owned the empty unit, and a project like setting up a DIY store seemed like a new challenge."

Mr Moore added that he decided to partner with Mica for the benefits of the co-operative credentials of its members, as well as being able to buy products at discounted prices. There was also another important reason for the Northern Irish entrepreneur. "I did my research and was aware that Mr John Dickey [owner of T Dickey & Co Mica Hardware, a longstanding Mica member in Northern Ireland] in Irvinestown was a Mica member, and you know what they say about a man from Fermanagh, 'the bite from a Fermanagh man is hard to heal!' If Mica was good enough for John then it is good enough for me.

"With our Mica retail development managers' support and expertise, we were able to open a very pofessional business."

The business' first consumer promotion, the Mica May DIY leaflet, went live recently and the new store is already seeing results. Robert Moore said: "We've had a great response to our first brochure going out, and the weather is attracting customers in for summer leisure lines. We're already run out of our customised instore Mica leaflets so we're requesting some more."

Mica ceo Steve Ball added: "Coming only a month after the opening of another 'from scratch' Mica store in Trowbridge, it's a very exciting time for everyone in the group, especially as the Moore family is completely new to Mica, and the industry as a whole.

"We're very proud to be bucking the national trend, providing a low cost solution to our membership. I'd like to officially welcome them to the group, and congratulate everyone for their hard work in getting this store open, and seemingly even more unlikely, on time!"