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Staff Zone Menu 
- Welcome
- Brand Guidelines
- News
- Covid-19 – What We’re Doing
- Covid-19 Resources
- Staff Benefits
- Blakemore Benefits
- Blakemore Retail Rewards
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Payroll Giving
- GroceryAid
- Pension Scheme
- Investment Principles
- Implementation Statements
- Company Policies
- AFB Employee Handbook
- B-Retail Employee Handbook
- Anti-facilitation of Tax Evasion
- Learning & Development
- LTBW e-Learning
- Philpotts e-Learning
- Customer Service e-Learning
- BR Period Training
- Microsoft Teams User Guide
- Ask the Board
Staff Zone News
Vegan Store Launches Weekly Delivery Boxes for Veganuary
January 13, 2022
Vegan Store launches a new weekly delivery box for Veganuary
A.F. Blakemore Invests in New Tractor Units
January 13, 2022
Ten new tractor units have been delivered into A.F. Blakemore’s food distribution fleet, each meeting Transport for London’s three-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating
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
More Colleagues Qualify as Mental Health First Aiders
December 17, 2021
More AFB colleagues have qualified as mental health first aiders
Blakemore Foundation Donates £55,000 to Christmas Community Activities
December 17, 2021
The Blakemore Foundation donates circa £55,000 to more than 1,200 different Christmas activities across the company’s trading area
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
Get a Letter from Santa and Help the NSPCC
December 01, 2021
Help support Blakemore Retail’s fundraising for the NSPCC this Christmas with a letter from Santa
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
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
A.F. Blakemore Achieves Goal of 100% Renewable Electricity
November 19, 2021
A.F. Blakemore moves its operations to 100% renewable electricity
Blakemore Benefits: Save on Big Brands this Winter
November 18, 2021
With Black Friday and Christmas approaching, don’t forget to make savings with A.F. Blakemore’s lifestyle savings scheme
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
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
SPAR Adds Christmas Sparkle to Own-brand Range
November 11, 2021
SPAR launches its new own-label Christmas range in a brand-new red livery
Vegan Store Celebrates World Vegan Day with New Products
November 05, 2021
Vegan Store celebrates World Vegan Day with new products
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
Philpotts Stores Bounce Back After Pandemic Disruption
November 05, 2021
A.F. Blakemore’s Philpotts stores are enjoying a boost in trade after a tough pandemic year
Three AFB Colleagues Shortlisted for FWD Gold Medal Awards
October 22, 2021
Supply Chain Manager Kelly Burrows, Wholesale Distribution National Account Manager Ian Cawley and Telesales Manager Alan Mayor have all been shortlisted for this year’s FWD Awards
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
SPAR Halesworth’s Margaret Want Retires After 67 Years at the Store
October 22, 2021
Margaret Want from SPAR Halesworth in Suffolk makes the local news after retiring from the store after 67 years
177 Colleagues Receive Free Flu Vaccination
October 22, 2021
177 A.F. Blakemore colleagues take up the company’s offer of a free flu vaccination
Blakemore Retail to Promote NSPCC Campaign This Half Term
October 15, 2021
Blakemore Retail will be teaming up with the NSPCC this October half term to promote the charity’s Home or Out Alone campaign across its store estate
Blakemore Retail Opens New Store in Broughton Astley
October 15, 2021
Blakemore Retail opens a new SPAR store in the village of Broughton Astley, Leicestershire
SPAR Luxury All Butter Mince Pies Voted Best in UK
October 04, 2021
The UK’s number one mince pie is only available at SPAR stores
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
Blakemore Apprenticeships: Find Out More
October 01, 2021
Did you know that A.F. Blakemore can offer colleagues across England a wide range of apprenticeships bespoke to their job roles completely free of charge?
Sign Up Now: Pension Transfers Webinar
September 30, 2021
A.F. Blakemore is offering colleagues the chance to attend one of five online seminars on the topic being run by pension provider Aviva
Blakemore Foodservice Embarks on Partnership with Pieminister
September 30, 2021
Blakemore Foodservice embarks on a new partnership with pie restaurant chain and wholesaler Pieminister
A.F. Blakemore Pilots Business Admin Diploma with Coventry University
September 17, 2021
Seventeen colleagues from A.F. Blakemore get set to embark on a brand-new Level 7 commercial apprenticeship programme
A.F. Blakemore Gets Ready for Natasha’s Law
September 17, 2021
After a year of planning, A.F. Blakemore is in the final stages of preparation for the introduction of Natasha’s Law
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
Blakemore Retail Bank Holiday Fundraiser Generates Thousands for NSPCC
September 03, 2021
Blakemore Retail’s PANTS Weekend fundraiser held in aid of the NSPCC over the August bank holiday has already raises in excess of £35,000
AFB Offers 100 Work Placements via Kickstart Scheme
September 03, 2021
A.F. Blakemore welcomes 100 young people into the business on work placements via the government’s Kickstart Scheme
Performance Development Reviews to Go Online
September 02, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches a new online performance development review process that will be rolled out to all colleagues
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
Blakemore Retail to Host Big Bank Holiday Fundraiser for NSPCC
August 20, 2021
Blakemore Retail colleagues are set to go on a fundraising drive for the NSPCC this August bank holiday with their annual PANTS Weekend
Covid-19 Vaccination Bus Comes to Willenhall
August 20, 2021
A.F. Blakemore hosts the Walsall NHS Trust Covid vaccination bus at its Willenhall head office site
Payroll Giving: Give to Charity Through Your Wages
August 20, 2021
Payroll giving is a simple, tax-effective way for colleagues to give to any UK-based charity from their pay
Blakemore Trade Partners Continues to Attract New SPAR Retailers
August 20, 2021
A.F. Blakemore has welcomed 14 new stores to its independent SPAR retail estate over the past eight weeks
Blakemore Foodservice Steps Up Deliveries Ahead of New School Term
August 20, 2021
Blakemore Foodservice is once again busy with start-up deliveries ahead of the new school term in September
Blakemore Team Defies Heat and Hills to Complete GroceryAid Cycle
August 06, 2021
Ten cyclists from A.F. Blakemore and independent SPAR stores successfully complete an epic bike ride across Wales in aid of charity GroceryAid
SPAR Bala Goes from Strength to Strength Following Relaunch
August 05, 2021
Blakemore Retail’s Bala store in Gwynedd goes from strength to strength following its relaunch under the SPAR Market fascia
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 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
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
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
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
Meet Your New AFB Mental Health First Aiders
July 06, 2021
As part of A.F. Blakemore’s Wellbeing in the Workplace programme, the company is pleased to announce that 26 colleagues have qualified as mental health first aiders
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
A.F. Blakemore Launches New Customer Web Apps
June 23, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches three new web apps for customers to improve their online shopping experience
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
Apply to Become a Mental Health First Aider
June 11, 2021
A.F. Blakemore is inviting all colleagues to apply to become a mental health first aider
AFB Steps Up Recruitment Drive to Address Driver Shortage
June 09, 2021
A.F. Blakemore steps up its recruitment drive to help attract more HGV drivers to the business amidst the national shortage
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution Embraces Immediate Convenience Opportunity
June 09, 2021
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution sees sales in the immediate convenience market grow
Blakemore Benefits: Offers and Discounts on Gym Memberships
May 28, 2021
Get offers and discounts on gym memberships with Blakemore Benefits
A.F. Blakemore Launches New Instagram Profile
May 28, 2021
A.F. Blakemore enhances its social media presence with a new Instagram profile to showcase working life at the business
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
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
Blakemore Foodservice Retains Contract with Dudley and Walsall Councils
May 14, 2021
Blakemore Foodservice retains its grocery, chilled and frozen distribution contract with Dudley and Walsall councils
Chloe Ball and Liz Blakemore Shortlisted for Logistics Awards
May 14, 2021
Chilled Operations Manager Chloe Ball and HR Business Partner Liz Blakemore are named as finalists in this year’s Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards
Have You Registered for AFB’s Learning Management System?
May 14, 2021
All colleagues should now have received an email inviting them to sign up to the company’s new learning management system
Reminder of GroceryAid Support on Offer to AFB Colleagues
April 30, 2021
A.F. Blakemore is reminding colleagues of a few wellbeing and support resources available from charity GroceryAid ahead of national Mental Health Awareness Week in May
Refer a Driver Friend and Receive £400 in Vouchers
April 29, 2021
Get yourself £400 in high street vouchers for referring any Class C or Class C + E driver that is successfully recruited into the Group Logistics division
Time to Register for AFB’s New Learning Management System
April 29, 2021
It’s time to register for AFB’s new learning management system
Q&A: Five Questions with Head of Fresh Sarah Deakin
April 28, 2021
In March A.F. Blakemore appointed Sarah Deakin to the new role of Head of Fresh
AFB Launches Monthly Video News Updates
April 16, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches a monthly video news update to keep colleagues up to date with the latest goings-on from around the business
New Learning Management System Coming Soon
April 13, 2021
A.F. Blakemore is set to launch a new learning management system for colleagues
New Project Management Toolkit Introduced to Support Projects
April 13, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches a new project management toolkit to support the delivery of key projects within the business
Happy Retirement John Bowman and David Cartwright
April 12, 2021
A.F. Blakemore wishes John Bowman and David Cartwright a happy retirement
Blakemore Colleagues Support More Than 300 Easter Activities
April 06, 2021
A.F. Blakemore colleagues help to make Easter ‘eggstra special’ for their local communities with charitable giving and fundraising initiatives
Axcess 10 Distribution Depot Achieves BRCGS Grade A Standard
April 02, 2021
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution’s Axcess 10 depot is awarded a grade A in its latest BRCGS audit
Blakemore Foodservice Set to Recommence Supply to Pubs and Restaurants
April 01, 2021
Blakemore Foodservice is getting ready to resume supplying pubs and restaurants ahead of their reopening
Additional Holiday Purchase Scheme
April 01, 2021
As from 1st May 2021, employees will have the opportunity to purchase additional holidays on top of their contracted annual entitlement
A.F. Blakemore’s Home-working Survey Results Announced
April 01, 2021
Thank you to all office-based colleagues for taking the time to complete A.F. Blakemore’s recent follow-up pulse survey on home-working
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution Launches New Web App
March 19, 2021
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution launches a new web app for customers to improve their online shopping experience
Vegan Store Launches Golden Crunch Easter Egg
March 18, 2021
Vegan Store launches a brand-new Golden Crunch Easter egg for Easter
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
A.F. Blakemore Launches Store Energy Reduction Programme
March 05, 2021
A.F. Blakemore introduces a new energy reduction programme to help save energy across its SPAR store estate
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
Blakemore Retail Helps Fund NSPCC Virtual Assembly with Ant and Dec
March 04, 2021
Blakemore Retail’s fundraising for the NSPCC helps the charity to hold a special virtual assembly to talk to children about mental health in the pandemic
A.F. Blakemore Produces New Vegan Store Video
March 03, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches a short new video to introduce its Vegan Store brand to retailers
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
Help AFB Fundraise for GroceryAid on GroceryAid Awareness Day
February 19, 2021
A.F. Blakemore is calling on all colleagues to help the company fundraise for GroceryAid as it marks GroceryAid Awareness Day on 2nd March
AFB Launches Leading the Blakemore Way App
February 18, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches a new Leading the Blakemore Way app to support colleagues with their leadership development
Logistics Managers Complete Upskilling Programme
February 18, 2021
Twenty-two A.F. Blakemore logistics colleagues successfully complete a new learning & development programme online
YuLife: Sign Up to AFB’s New Wellbeing App
February 18, 2021
AFB colleagues are invited to sign up to a new wellbeing app that offers rewards for walking and meditating
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
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
Snappy Shopper Sales Break More Records
February 05, 2021
Snappy Shopper sales are continuing to break records in Blakemore Retail, with the last few weeks seeing the best results yet for the home delivery app.
MyHR: It’s Time to Update Your Details
February 05, 2021
Following the successful launch of the company’s MyHR system last year, A.F. Blakemore is now asking colleagues to update their personal information on the platform
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
A.F. Blakemore Joins Kickstart Scheme
January 22, 2021
A.F. Blakemore joins the government’s Kickstart Scheme as part of its ongoing commitment to helping young people into the workplace
A.F. Blakemore Rolls Out SPAR Natural Range
January 22, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches SPAR’s Natural range into selected Blakemore Retail and independent SPAR stores
Wellbeing in the Workplace Programme Launches Across AFB
January 22, 2021
A.F. Blakemore launches a new Wellbeing in the Workplace programme to help engage and support colleagues
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
Ask The Board
Staff Zone News
January 13, 2022
Vegan Store Launches Weekly Delivery Boxes for Veganuary
January 13, 2022
A.F. Blakemore Invests in New Tractor Units
January 12, 2022
SPAR Launches New Brand Positioning
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