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A new SPAR retailer for Barlborough

February 26, 2024

Blakemore Trade Partners, one of the UKs largest family businesses and the primary SPAR wholesaler across the Midlands and Wales, is delighted to welcome Minesh Keshwala to SPAR with his new 1,500sqft SPAR store which opened in Ash Close, Barlborough, Derbyshire at the end of last year.

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A.F. Blakemore Takes a Big Step Towards Sustainable Deliveries with Purchase of Electric HGVs

February 07, 2024

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, one of the UKs largest family businesses and the primary SPAR wholesaler across the Midlands and Wales, today announced the addition of two state-of-the-art electric HGVs to its fleet, marking a significant step towards its commitment to sustainable operations.

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Ready, Set, Go With SPAR School Sports Day Grants

February 05, 2024

Following the huge success of last year’s school sports day grants campaign, leading symbol group SPAR UK is offering another £50,000 to support schools in their local communities across the UK.

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January value at only £1.25 available from SPAR

January 04, 2024

SPAR is helping shoppers through the month of January by offering great value deals on a range of store cupboard staples from just £1.25.

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Blakemore Retail unveils SPAR store in Warren Wood, Gainsborough – A hub of convenience and sustainability

December 12, 2023

Blakemore Retail is delighted to announce the grand opening of its latest SPAR store in Warren Wood, Gainsborough.

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A.F. Blakemore appoints Lawrence Shirazian as Managing Director of Foodservice Business Unit

December 01, 2023

A.F. Blakemore, one of the UK’s largest privately owned family businesses, is pleased to announce that Lawrence Shirazian will join as Managing Director of their newly formed Foodservice Business Unit on 4th December 2023.

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Blakemore Retail acquires Hockmeyer Motors Limited

November 23, 2023

The UK’s largest SPAR Retail Distribution Company A.F. Blakemore and Son Limited has expanded its operation in Sleaford, Lincolnshire after agreeing a deal to purchase Hockmeyer Motors Limited.

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Spinner Winner proves a huge success with SPAR shoppers

November 14, 2023

SPAR presents MrBeast Feastables campaign winners with grand prizes - Spinner Winner, an online consumer competition campaign launched during the summer to support the convenience partnership between MrBeast Feastables chocolates and SPAR, has proven to be a huge success with SPAR shoppers.

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SPAR UK ANNOUNCES THREE NEW DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS

November 14, 2023

Leading symbol group SPAR UK Ltd has announced three new Director appointments at Central Office in Harrow.

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SPAR UK celebrates raising £3m for Marie Curie

October 24, 2023

Leading convenience store group SPAR is celebrating a huge fundraising milestone by raising £3 million for its national charity partner Marie Curie.

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SPAR is making a BIG Deal of Christmas

October 04, 2023

This October sees leading symbol group SPAR UK launch its largest national brand campaign to date.

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A.F. Blakemore and Inenco Shortlisted for Prestigious Energy Efficient Partnership of the Year Award

September 26, 2023

A.F. Blakemore in collaboration with energy and sustainability specialists Inenco has been officially shortlisted for the esteemed Energy Efficient Partnership of the Year by The Energy Awards.

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Star Studded Performance From SPAR At 2023 Retail Industry Awards

September 25, 2023

The 2023 Retail Industry Awards night took place on 19 September at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, London, hosted by the excellent Paul Sinha.

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SPAR partners with FareShare to launch their first Giving One Million Meals campaign

September 21, 2023

SPAR is partnering with FareShare, the UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and tackling food waste, to provide the equivalent of one million meals through local charities in cities, towns and villages across the UK, as part of the Giving One Million Meals | SPAR project.

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A.F. Blakemore & Son Reports Robust Financial Performance, Championed by SPAR Retail Estate

September 18, 2023

A.F. Blakemore & Son, one of the UK's foremost family-owned businesses, has reported strong financial results for its food retail, foodservice and wholesale business for the financial year ending on 30 April 2023.

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A.F. Blakemore announce new structure to leverage retail strength

September 12, 2023

A.F. Blakemore has announced changes to the leadership team to consolidate retail knowledge across its SPAR portfolio.

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SPAR launches exciting Spinner Winner campaign in collaboration with YouTuber MrBeast and exclusive Feastables chocolate bars

July 26, 2023

Leading symbol group SPAR has launched its highly anticipated summer campaign, Spinner Winner, in collaboration with the renowned internet personality and philanthropist, MrBeast.

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SPAR announces winners of the 2023 UK £100k Community Cashback scheme

July 25, 2023

Leading convenience symbol group SPAR has announced the winners of its second £100,000 Community Cashback scheme launched in January this year.

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SPAR Phoenix Park opens in Nottingham

July 21, 2023

Locals and commuters alike can delight in the brand new £1.5 million SPAR store that’s just opened in the Phoenix Park area of Nottingham. That’s because alongside an extensive range of convenience products, shoppers will find a Greggs and a Subway franchise.

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SPAR goes yellow to support Marie Curie 75th celebrations

July 20, 2023

Marie Curie, the SPAR national charity partner, is celebrating its 75th birthday and in acknowledgment, SPAR alongside seven leading FMCG grocery brands have pledged to donate £35,000 in total to a new campaign, called Go Yellow, in support of Marie Curie’s special birthday anniversary.

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SPAR retailer wins £100,000 investment award at Blakemore Trade Partners SPAR Retail Show

June 19, 2023

The Blakemore Trade Partner's (BTP) SPAR Retail Show (SRS) this year focused on the theme of ‘Sustainable Growth' culminating in one retailer receiving a £100,000 investment fund to develop their business.

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Roadchef introduces SPAR’s latest convenience store design to Strensham North motorway services

June 09, 2023

Drivers and passengers visiting Roadchef’s Strensham North motorway services on the M5 northbound, between junctions 7 and 8 will enjoy a visit to its newly refurbished SPAR store.

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Blakemore Foodservice awarded £9m worth of education and council services contracts

May 11, 2023

One of the UK's largest independent businesses, AF Blakemore & Son ltd, has been awarded £9m of new contracts for its Blakemore Foodservice division.

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A.F. Blakemore launches the new Plant & Win App

April 27, 2023

Leading SPAR wholesaler and convenience store retailer, A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd, has launched a new app called Plant & Win, where SPAR shoppers in Wales, central England and the Southeast can play to plant trees and win a host of exciting prizes.

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SPAR driving the future of convenience at NCS

April 18, 2023

Leading convenience symbol group SPAR is exhibiting at the National Convenience Show (NCS) in Birmingham from 24-26 April.

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A new SPAR forecourt store for Gallows Point, Beaumaris

April 18, 2023

Blakemore Trade Partners, SPAR’s wholesaler for Central and Southeast England and Wales, welcomes Anglesey Boat Company to SPAR with the development of their site at Gallows Point, Beaumaris in Anglesey.

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Disability Sport Wales and SPAR extended partnership

March 27, 2023

Disability Sport Wales are delighted to announce that SPAR, the leading convenience store brand, will continue as the national Community Partner for the next three years.

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A.F. Blakemore launches ‘Short Supportive Stories’ book to recognise their ‘Women In Blakemore’

March 13, 2023

A F Blakemore, one of the UK’s largest independently owned businesses, has the announced the winners of their first Women in Blakemore Awards, via a story book. The book launch amalgamates the stories of the winners and their nominees.

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SPAR wins Convenience Chain of the Year at 2023 Drinks Retailing Awards

February 13, 2023

The 2023 Drinks Retailing Awards celebrated a range of dynamic supermarkets, convenience chains and regional stores, all of which are championing drinks and helping the off-trade thrive.

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SPAR launches its second UK wide £100,000 Community Cashback Scheme

February 06, 2023

Following the enormous success of last year’s £100,000 Community Cashback Scheme, leading convenience symbol group SPAR is launching a second £100,000 Community Cashback Scheme this February, giving away grants to local voluntary or community organisations and charities.

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SPAR Shopper Wins Ultimate Christmas in Competition Giveaway

February 06, 2023

A convenience store shopper from Scunthorpe has won the ultimate Christmas after entering a SPAR competition.

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SPAR Shopper Wins Fuel for a Year in Competition Giveaway

February 06, 2023

A convenience store shopper from Welshampton has won free fuel for a year after entering a SPAR Christmas competition.

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SPAR Shopper Wins Energy for a Year in Competition Giveaway

February 06, 2023

A convenience store shopper from Worcester has won free energy for a year after entering a SPAR Christmas competition.

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SPAR Customer Wins Shopping for a Year in Competition Giveaway

February 06, 2023

A convenience store customer from Peterborough has won free shopping at SPAR for a year after entering a SPAR Christmas competition.

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SPAR Brand launches tasty new sweets

February 06, 2023

SPAR is launching five new and exciting own label lines to its overall confectionery range.

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AF Blakemore appoints Carol Welch as new CEO

February 02, 2023

AF Blakemore, one of the UK’s largest privately owned family businesses, is pleased to announce that Carol Welch will join as Chief Executive in April, succeeding Jerry Marwood who is leaving to focus more time on his non-executive directorships and consultancy roles.

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Tremendous Success for A.F. Blakemore’s SPAR Christmas Campaign

February 02, 2023

A.F. Blakemore & Son launched a SPAR Christmas campaign in December giving away up to £100,000 worth of prizes.

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Donations Worth £65,000 Awarded to Good Causes at Christmas

December 23, 2022

The Blakemore Foundation awards donations worth circa £65,000 to more than 1,300 activities and events in communities this Christmas

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A.F. Blakemore Christmas Campaign to Give Away up to £100,000 Worth of Prizes

December 08, 2022

A.F. Blakemore launches a SPAR Christmas campaign giving away up to £100,000 worth of prizes

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A.F. Blakemore Wins at FWD Gold Medal Awards

November 28, 2022

A.F. Blakemore is celebrating after winning the Data and Insight award at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) Gold Medal Awards

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Meat Trader Bal Mehmi Wins National Award

November 22, 2022

Meat Trader Bal Mehmi from Blakemore Fresh Foods is crowned a winner at the national Women in Meat Industry Awards

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Independent Retailer Muru Visana Opens New SPAR Market Store in Clavering

November 08, 2022

The picturesque village of Clavering in Essex is home to a brand-new SPAR Market owned by enterprising independent retailer Muru Visana and family

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New SPAR Market Store for Dersingham Sees Substantial Increase in Sales and Margin

October 21, 2022

An independent family-owned SPAR store in Dersingham rebrands as a SPAR Market store

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Lisa James Crowned Sales Colleague of the Year

September 27, 2022

SPAR Beddau Supervisor Lisa James wins Sales Colleague of the Year at The Convenience Awards

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Five Colleagues Cycle London to Paris for GroceryAid

September 13, 2022

Five A.F. Blakemore colleagues complete an epic bike ride from London to Paris in aid of charity GroceryAid

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SPAR UK Awards £100,000 to Good Causes Via Community Cashback Scheme

July 12, 2022

SPAR UK awards £100,000 to good causes across the UK via its Community Cashback scheme

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SPAR Retail Show 2022: New World, New Opportunities

June 17, 2022

‘New World, New Opportunities’ was the key theme lighting up the room at Blakemore Trade Partners’ SPAR Retail Show this year

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Blakemore Retail Opens New Purpose-Built SPAR in Spalding

May 04, 2022

Blakemore Retail launches a brand-new SPAR convenience store in the town of Spalding, Lincolnshire

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SPAR Aberavon Relaunches with New and Improved Food to Go

April 22, 2022

SPAR Aberavon relaunches with a new and improved hot food counter serving delicious food to go

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A.F. Blakemore to Launch SPAR Augmented Reality Game App

April 05, 2022

A.F. Blakemore is set to launch an interactive augmented reality (AR) game app that offers customers the chance to win prizes at SPAR stores

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Blakemore Retail Unveils New Concept Store at SPAR Aberystwyth

February 18, 2022

Blakemore Retail launches a brand-new concept store at SPAR Aberystwyth

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A.F. Blakemore Appoints New Group Commercial Director

February 16, 2022

A.F. Blakemore appoints David Cooke to the newly created role of Group Commercial Director

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Festive Friday Raises Thousands for Charity

December 17, 2021

Last week’s Festive Friday is estimated to have raised more than £20,000 for charity

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Blakemore Colleagues Scoop Three FWD Gold Medals

November 26, 2021

Kelly Burrows, Ian Cawley and Alan Mayor are crowned winners at this year’s FWD Awards

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A.F. Blakemore & Son Well Positioned for Growth

November 17, 2021

Chairman Peter Blakemore announces a year of good progress for 2020/21 in his statement on A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd’s annual financial results

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Blakemore Retail and NSPCC Win at Corporate Engagement Awards

November 15, 2021

Blakemore Retail’s charity partnership with the NSPCC wins bronze at the Corporate Engagement Awards 2021

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Blakemore Retail Goes Purple for Purple Tuesday

November 05, 2021

Blakemore Retail colleagues dress up and decorate their stores in purple for disability awareness event Purple Tuesday

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SPAR Retail Show 2021: Better Together

October 22, 2021

Blakemore Trade Partners lays on its annual show for suppliers, colleagues and retailers from across SPAR UK’s Meridian & Welsh Guild

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SPAR Parkfoot Scoops Top Prize at Convenience Awards

September 15, 2021

SPAR Parkfoot is named Convenience Retailer of the Year at The Convenience Awards 2021

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GroceryAid Coast to Coast Cycle Gets Underway

July 23, 2021

Ten cyclists from A.F. Blakemore and independent SPAR stores take on an epic bike ride across Wales in aid of charity GroceryAid

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SPAR Stores Across Wales to Celebrate Welsh Food Fortnight

July 23, 2021

SPAR stores across Wales will be taking part in a Welsh Food Fortnight campaign next month

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Blakemore Retail Reaches £4 Million Fundraising Milestone for NSPCC

July 23, 2021

Blakemore Retail reaches a £4 million fundraising milestone for the NSPCC through its 16-year partnership with the charity

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Operations Manager Chloe Ball Wins Warehousing Award

July 09, 2021

Chilled Operations Manager Chloe Ball becomes the first Blakemore colleague to win an award at the Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards

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Blakemore Retail Teams Up with NSPCC for Home or Out Alone Campaign

July 09, 2021

Blakemore Retail teams up with the NSPCC to help parents decide if their children are ready to stay home or go out alone

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Blakemore Retail Launches First SPAR Market Store

June 24, 2021

Blakemore Retail relaunches its store in Bala under the SPAR Market fascia following a complete refurbishment

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Blakemore Retail Birthday Parties Raise More Than £35,000 for NSPCC

June 11, 2021

Blakemore Retail raises £35,212 for the NSPCC by hosting 16th birthday parties across its SPAR estate to celebrate the start of its 16th year of partnership with the charity

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SPAR UK Conference 2021: The Future of Convenience is with SPAR

May 27, 2021

The SPAR symbol group is determined to maintain its lead in the convenience market by investing £125 million in the business over the next 12 months

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Blakemore Foundation Awards £313,257 to Good Causes in 2020/21

May 24, 2021

The Blakemore Foundation awarded goods and monetary donations worth £313,257 to good causes during A.F. Blakemore’s 2020/21 financial year

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A.F. Blakemore to Launch Charity Campaign in Memory of Raj Aggarwal

March 16, 2021

A.F. Blakemore is set to launch a charity campaign in April in memory of much-loved SPAR retailer Raj Aggarwal

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Colleagues Celebrate GroceryAid Awareness Day

March 05, 2021

Colleagues across A.F. Blakemore help the company raise awareness of GroceryAid as it marks GroceryAid Awareness Day

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Blakemore Retail Extends Partnership with Too Good To Go to 275 Stores

February 24, 2021

Blakemore Retail signs up all 275 of its SPAR convenience stores to the Too Good To Go app

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Blakemore Foundation Covid-19 Support Reaches Value of £176,000

February 17, 2021

Charitable donations awarded to Covid-related causes via the Blakemore Foundation have now reached a value of £176,000

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A.F. Blakemore & Son Invests for Growth with New Opportunities

February 08, 2021

Chairman Peter Blakemore reports a year of good progress for 2019/20 in his annual statement on A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd’s financial results

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Double Success at Retail Industry Awards

January 27, 2021

SPAR Parkfoot and Eat 17 SPAR Walthamstow are crowned winners at the 2020 Retail Industry Awards

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Hockenhull Garages Crowned Forecourt Trader of the Year

January 21, 2021

Independently owned SPAR forecourt site The Stage has been named Forecourt Trader of the Year

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Store Manager Linda Carrington Receives New Year Honour

December 31, 2020

SPAR Store Manager Linda Carrington receives a British Empire Medal in The Queen’s New Year Honours

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A.F. Blakemore Launches New Commission Operator Store Model

October 01, 2020

A.F. Blakemore launches a brand-new commission operator SPAR store model

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SPAR Y Maes Takes Home Top Prize at Convenience Awards

September 30, 2020

A.F. Blakemore is celebrating after a fantastic evening at the Convenience Awards

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A.F. Blakemore Expands Operations with Acquisition of Online Vegan Store

August 13, 2020

A.F. Blakemore announces the purchase of the online wholesaler and retailer Vegan Store

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Philpotts Signs Up to Too Good to Go Food Waste App

July 24, 2020

Philpotts joins Blakemore Retail in signing up to the Too Good to Go food waste fighting app

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Blakemore Retail Trials Self-service Checkouts

July 23, 2020

Blakemore Retail is trialling three card-only self-service checkouts at its Bannerbrook store

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Blakemore Retail Launches Home Delivery Website

April 30, 2020

Blakemore Retail launches an online ordering website to make it easier for customers to browse products from SPAR stores offering home deliveries

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A.F. Blakemore Colleagues Donate Over £25,000 During Coronavirus Crisis

April 21, 2020

Colleagues from across A.F. Blakemore donate more than £25,000 to local communities during the coronavirus crisis

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A.F. Blakemore Partners with Royal Voluntary Service

April 15, 2020

A.F. Blakemore partners with the Royal Voluntary Service to help vulnerable people and NHS workers during the coronavirus crisis

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SPAR Partners with Royal Voluntary Service

April 08, 2020

SPAR stores in England are to be the first convenience retailer to partner with Royal Voluntary Service on its NHS Volunteer Responders programme

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Blakemore Retail Launches Standalone Greggs and Subway

March 04, 2020

Blakemore Retail launches its first standalone Greggs and Subway store as part of its strategy to expand retail spaces across the business

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A.F. Blakemore Partners with Disability Sport Wales

February 03, 2020

A.F. Blakemore becomes the national community partner of Disability Sport Wales

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A.F. Blakemore Trials Food Waste Fighting App

January 24, 2020

A.F. Blakemore is the latest convenience store retailer to trial the food waste fighting app Too Good to Go

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SPAR International Presents A.F. Blakemore with Special Recognition Award

December 04, 2019

A.F. Blakemore has been presented with a Special Recognition award by SPAR International for the contribution it has made to the community through its Branching Out education programme

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A.F. Blakemore Signs Up to Refill Campaign

December 04, 2019

A.F. Blakemore has become the first convenience retailer to join the Refill campaign to help reduce plastic waste

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A.F. Blakemore Relaunches First Company-owned SPAR as Flagship Store

September 09, 2019

A.F. Blakemore relocates its inaugural company-owned SPAR store to a forecourt site in Willenhall

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Blakemore Foodservice Joins Country Range Group

June 14, 2019

Blakemore Foodservice joins the Country Range Group network of independent wholesalers

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A.F. Blakemore Flagship Store Programme Wins Grocer Gold

June 12, 2019

A.F. Blakemore’s Flagship Store Programme has been crowned Business Initiative of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards

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Blakemore Retail Achieves Investors in People Gold Accreditation

June 06, 2019

Blakemore Retail’s commitment to developing colleagues is recognised with the highly prestigious Investors in People Gold accolade

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A.F. Blakemore Acquires Philpotts Store Chain

February 27, 2019

A.F. Blakemore has acquired the Philpotts chain of prepared-food stores, adding an additional 22 stores to the company’s retail estate

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Blakemore Retail Colleagues’ Daring Deeds Raise Over £200k for NSPCC

January 28, 2019

Colleagues from Blakemore Retail SPAR stores went above and beyond during the latter half of 2018 to raise more than £200k for the children’s charity

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Blakemore Retail Praised for Disability Awareness Training

December 04, 2018

Blakemore Retail is recognised with an award for its innovative disability e-learning training by the charity Purple

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New Eat 17 Hammersmith Store Reinvents the Market Hall

August 14, 2018

Multi-award-winning fine food store and restaurant chain Eat 17 opens a new store in Hammersmith, complete with an indoor street food market and yoga classes

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Blakemore Foodservice Crowned Favourite Delivered Wholesaler at HIM Wholesale Awards

July 03, 2018

Blakemore Foodservice scoops the title of Independent Foodservice Operator’s Favourite Delivered Wholesaler at the HIM Wholesale Awards

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New SPAR Store Launches at Roadchef Strensham South

March 23, 2018

Blakemore Trade Partners launches a new SPAR store offering premium food to go at Roadchef Strensham South Services in Worcestershire

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