New owners, fresh vision

Next generation – Paul Maconaghie, Edwin Howe, Justin Maconaghie and Katrina Howe

Iconic Belfast business Framar Health will enjoy a healthy future as the family’s third generation takes over.

Framar Health, a name synonymous with nutrition and complementary therapies in Northern Ireland, is enjoying reinvigorating change as a new generation of the Maconaghie family takes over the reigns of the successful retail store and clinic.

Recently recognised in the Health and Fitness Awards NI where Framar won the prestigious titles of ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ and ‘Health and Fitness Retailer of the Year’, the family-run business is flourishing.

For founder Paul Maconaghie, it’s an exciting time for a business that’s destined for the next level of success. Son Justin Maconaghie, daughter Katrina and her husband Edwin are now at the helm.

The patriarch established what is now one of Ireland's most renowned health and fitness retailers almost four decades ago.

“The time is right to hand over the keys of the business to the next generation,” he said. “Winning the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ award was really the cherry on top for my retirement and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how my children and son-in-law will lead Framar Health into the future.

“I’m confident the trio will be hugely successful. They’ve started off brilliantly by scooping the ‘Health and Fitness Retailer of the Year’ Award and I am confident that they will take the business to new heights.”

"The transition has been pretty seamless,” says Justin, who is senior buyer as well as partner at Framar Health. “We are planning to stay ahead of the curve in the holistic sector. We want to meet the challenges of 21st century living and develop our business for the future.”

Edwin says: "Our challenges are the same as all independent retailers. We recognise there's more competition in terms of corporate players, but we have something special they can't acquire easily and that is long-term relationships with our clients and customers. They trust us to look after them, and we trust their loyalty to keep coming back to us. The longevity of this business in such a competitive sector is a testament to that strong relationship."

Community spirit

Framar Health supports a loyal community of customers and clients and the trio is particularly excited about a partnership with the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. “This fantastic opportunity over the next couple of years will provide complementary therapies and evidence-based nutritional supplements to the competitors of the Belfast marathon, supporting them pre- and post-training,” says Edwin Howe, Paul’s son-in-law and also a partner in Framar Health.

Framar Health is now well established as a trusted name synonymous with quality products, expert advice and excellent customer service, and the company continues to enjoy exceptional success at what is a key transitional point in the business's 38-year history.

Within their Complementary Health Clinic located on the upper floors of the Lisburn Road store, Framar offers therapies such as sports massage, osteopathy, reflexology and aromatherapy, supporting all aspects of fitness training and general health.

Along with their popular Vega Food Sensitivity Testing clinic and ASYRA Health Screening Analysis, Framar is home to three BANT-registered Nutritional Therapists, highly regarded homeopaths and qualified pregnancy massage therapists, and holds a regular clinic with Tertia Molenaar de Vries, daughter of the late Jan de Vries.

Family values

“My grandfather and homeopath Frank Maconaghie was the first practitioner to work in our clinic,” says Paul’s daughter Katrina. “The name of the business is taken from his and my grandmother Margaret’s first names, so supporting our clients and customers is a personal affair for us. We value the time and energy they put into building the business with our dad, and we only hope we can make their memory proud.”

Today, the Framar Health retail team consists of six staff members boasting over 86 years of experience in the health and wellness industry between them. “Our staff has always played a vital role in the integrity of our business,” adds Katrina. “They are committed to personal education within the industry, are incredibly supportive of our customers and we greatly appreciate their support of the future vision of the business.”

With plans to introduce more plastic-free alternatives, the expansion of nutritional supplement product lines, e-commerce solutions and further brand development, the future is looking bright for this new Framar Health generation.
www.framarhealth.com