Home > Blakemore Trade Partners > News
Main Menu
- Welcome
- Retail Support
- Working in Partnership
- Store Development
- How We Can Benefit You
- SPARPoS Technology
- Marketing Support
- Promotional Campaigns
- Value Initiatives
- SPAR Brand
- SPAR in the Community
- Blakemore Foundation
- Guild Academy e-Learning
- Become a SPAR Retailer
- Join SPAR Form
- Contact Us
- Vacancies
- News
Trade Partners Menu 
- Welcome
- Retail Support
- Working in Partnership
- Store Development
- How We Can Benefit You
- SPARPoS Technology
- Marketing Support
- Promotional Campaigns
- Value Initiatives
- SPAR Brand
- SPAR in the Community
- Blakemore Foundation
- Guild Academy e-Learning
- Become a SPAR Retailer
- Join SPAR Form
- Contact Us
- Vacancies
- News
Blakemore Trade Partners News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SPAR Brand launches tasty new sweets
February 06, 2023
SPAR is launching five new and exciting own label lines to its overall confectionery range.
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.
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.
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
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
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
SPAR Harnessing the Power of the Past, to Be the Force for the Future
October 27, 2022
Four hundred people attend SPAR UK’s national conference in Gran Canaria
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
SPAR Supports One Tree Planted Campaign
September 29, 2022
SPAR UK is supporting the international brand’s 90th anniversary celebrations by giving back to communities and planting 12,500 trees all over England with leading organisation One Tree Planted
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
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
SPAR Launches New Partnership with Deliveroo
June 22, 2022
SPAR UK signes a new partnership deal with Deliveroo covering all 2,160 SPAR stores in England, Scotland and Wales
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
SPAR Own Label Expands for Summer BBQs
May 09, 2022
SPAR launches a variety of own label products to maximise this summer’s great opportunity
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
A.F. Blakemore to Trial Electric HGV
March 02, 2022
A.F. Blakemore will be trialling an electric truck at its Willenhall distribution centre for a week in March
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
SPAR Launches New Brand Positioning
January 12, 2022
SPAR unveils new UK-wide brand positioning that celebrates the unique characteristics of SPAR convenience stores
SPAR Becomes First Grocer in UK to Launch 100% Vegan Own-label Wine Range
January 06, 2022
SPAR makes its full range of own-label wines suitable for vegans
SPAR Offers Shoppers Chance to Win Shop for Free Throughout January
January 05, 2022
SPAR is launching a brand-new consumer campaign in participating stores around England, Scotland and Wales throughout January 2022
Blakemore Colleagues Attend Disability Sport Wales Paralympic Celebratory Dinner
November 25, 2021
A.F. Blakemore Group Marketing Director Sarah Ellis and Responsible Business Director Caoire Blakemore attend Disability Sport Wales’s Paralympic Celebratory Dinner
SPAR UK Celebrates Raising £2m for Marie Curie
November 24, 2021
SPAR UK fundraising for Marie Curie surpasses £2 million
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
Ajay Odedra Switches to SPAR
October 01, 2021
Independent retailer Ajay Odedra has chosen to move his Simply Fresh supplied store in Boreham, Essex to SPAR
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
SPAR MD Louise Hoste Announced as New Chair of ACS
September 01, 2021
The Association of Convenience Stores announces the appointment of SPAR Managing Director Louise Hoste as its new chair from November
Shortlists for Grocer Gold, Convenience and Retail Industry Awards Announced
July 23, 2021
A.F. Blakemore and its stores make the shortlist for the Grocer Gold, Convenience and Retail Industry awards
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
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
Blakemore Cyclists to Embark on Coast to Coast Challenge
July 09, 2021
Ten cyclists from A.F. Blakemore and independent SPAR stores are set to take on an epic bike ride across Wales in aid of charity GroceryAid
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
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
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
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
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
Lowdham Village Gets Brand New SPAR Store and Forecourt
December 14, 2020
Car dealership owners Duncan and Lisa Betts team up with Blakemore Trade Partners to open a brand new SPAR store and forecourt in the Nottinghamshire village of Lowdham
Raj Aggarwal Trophy to Be Awarded to Outstanding Community Retailers from 2021
October 12, 2020
A new trophy marking the legacy of independent SPAR retailer Raj Aggarwal is to be awarded to retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers
A.F. Blakemore Launches New Commission Operator Store Model
October 01, 2020
A.F. Blakemore launches a brand-new commission operator SPAR store model
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
SPAR Retailers Shortlisted for Convenience and Retail Industry Awards
September 17, 2020
SPAR retailers across the Meridian & Welsh Guild have received notable recognition on this year’s Convenience Awards and Retail Industry Awards shortlists
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
SPAR Removes 300 Tonnes of Plastic from Own-label Packaging in One Year
June 11, 2020
SPAR removes nearly 300 tonnes of virgin plastic from 53 own-label products
SPAR Extends Shopping Support to National Charities
June 11, 2020
More than 700 SPAR stores in England and Wales sign up to support volunteers for three additional national charities in order to support more vulnerable people
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
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
A.F. Blakemore Partners with Disability Sport Wales
February 03, 2020
A.F. Blakemore becomes the national community partner of Disability Sport Wales
Blakemore Trade Partners Pledges £100,000 Investment to Ruskington Retailer
January 09, 2020
Blakemore Trade Partners pledges a £100,000 investment to SPAR retailer Paul Baxter to enable him to carry out a transformational store development
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
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
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
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
Customer Login
Trade Partners News
April 27, 2023
A.F. Blakemore launches the new Plant & Win App
April 18, 2023
SPAR driving the future of convenience at NCS
April 18, 2023
A new SPAR forecourt store for Gallows Point, Beaumaris
View all Stories