For Brookeborough shop owner Joe Gilleece, of Gilleece’s Auto Spares, meeting people and “having a bit of craic” is the highlight of his working day.

The local businessman, who opened his current shop in Brookeborough in 2011, having previously had a premises in Lisnaskea, predominantly sells service items for vehicles.

However, alongside selling his wares, Joe says his shop acts like a social hub for the village, which he very much enjoys.

“I’ve kind of a social thing going here. I’m kinda used as a hub for the town,” said Joe, noting that the premises was formerly a post office.

“This used to be the post office, so people would still come in here enquiring for things – so it’s kinda still used as a post office,” he added with a laugh.

Joe first started Gilleece’s Auto Spares in Lisnaskea in 1996, and had been working in the car trade prior to that.

“I’ve been working in stores all my life selling car parts. I started in 1965 in Lochside in Enniskillen. I’ve been in the car trade since,” he added, noting that alongside the shop, which is part-time work, he is a supervisor with Clogher Valley Credit Union, where he would also “deal with people quite a bit”.

“I enjoy meeting people and having a bit of craic, and getting the best out of life you can,” he told this newspaper.