Birdy's Newsagents

Excellence in Customer Service Finalist - Monaghan Business & Tourism Awards

Tell us about your business and team:

We are a family run Newsagents in business in Carrickmacross since 1928 when it was founded by Aileen Birdy. The newsagents has served the town of Carrickmacross and surrounding areas for nearly 100 years and we like to think that we pride ourselves in caring for our customers and their needs and offer a personal touch that other larger retailers can’t offer.

Describe the best thing about your service:

We are the service. I feel it’s like the post office of old. We know our customers and their needs. Sometimes someone just wants to say hello and have a wee chat. We can lend them an ear. Sometimes they just want the paper and out. We try to notice the individual needs of each customer at that point in their day.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?

Because we deal with the public day in, day out, and there is a feeling that the customer is always right, this may not always be the case... I was told once before; “The customer isn’t always right, but, they are always number 1. Without them we would not be here.”

What does the future hold for your business?

We are lucky enough to be in the great business town that is Carrickmacross. There is a great energy from the chamber committee who are always promoting the local businesses. We are gearing towards stocking new materials and offering laser engraving to customers old and new, so that’s an exciting development on the horizon.