SPAR Twin Spires, Northumberland Street

Liam McMahon’s SPAR at Twin Spires sits inside the Twin Spires Complex on Northumberland Street, a few minutes from Belfast city centre. It opens at six in the morning, which tells you most of what you need to know about who it serves: early shifts, school runs, delivery drivers, office staff at the complex, and anyone who wants a proper coffee and something baked that morning before the day properly starts.

The store runs a full convenience range built around a quick, complete stop. The in-store bakery produces bread, baps, pastries and traybakes fresh on the premises each day, and the barista bar is serving from the moment the doors open at six. Hot food runs from early breakfast through lunch and into the evening. Fresh fruit and vegetables and a fresh meat chiller cover the evening meal and the top-up shop, alongside chilled, frozen, ambient grocery and household lines. There is an ATM in store and cash back available at the till on debit card purchases, plus National Lottery and PayPoint for utility top-ups and bill payments. A fuel forecourt serves drivers heading into the city or out onto the Westlink, and parking is available within the Twin Spires Complex. Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless are accepted at every till.