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- B-Retail Employee Handbook
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Staff Zone News
Order Now: Fresh Meat Delivery Service Up and Running
May 22, 2020
A.F. Blakemore has launched a next-day County Bridge fresh meat home delivery service for the Wolverhampton, Walsall and Cannock areas
Lockdown Creations Contest: Winners Announced
May 22, 2020
It’s time to announce the winners of A.F. Blakemore’s lockdown creations contest
SPAR Launches New Brand Advert
May 21, 2020
SPAR launches a new advert to highlight the role of SPAR in the community
Blakemore Retail Launches New Value Initiative
May 20, 2020
Blakemore Retail launches a new value initiative across its store estate to re-establish its value message to customers
Celebrating Blakemore GEMs: Q&A with Alison from SPAR Bulwark Road
May 20, 2020
All throughout the coronavirus pandemic, A.F. Blakemore is celebrating colleagues who are going the extra mile for customers and other staff members via its Blakemore GEMs (Going the Extra Mile) scheme
30,000 Plants Distributed by Logistics
May 20, 2020
A.F. Blakemore reports soaring plant sales during the coronavirus lockdown
Celebrating Blakemore GEMs: Q&A with Tanya from SPAR Rhos
May 14, 2020
A.F. Blakemore celebrates colleagues who are going the extra mile for customers and other staff members via its Blakemore GEMs (Going the Extra Mile) scheme
Leading the Blakemore Way Goes Online
May 14, 2020
AFB colleagues participate in the company’s very first online Leading the Blakemore Way session
Retailers and Senior Leaders Say Thank You Blakemore Colleagues
May 14, 2020
Senior leaders and retailers say thank you to AFB colleagues in a short video
Throwback Photo Competition: Winner Announced
May 14, 2020
It’s time to announce the winner of A.F. Blakemore’s throwback photo contest! Will you recognise anyone who’s entered?
Blakemore Foodservice Helps Feed Thousands in Need
May 14, 2020
Over the past five weeks, Blakemore Foodservice has been helping 36 local authorities, charities and businesses across the country to feed thousands of people in need
A.F. Blakemore Launches Chocolate Bars with Special Messaging
May 14, 2020
A.F. Blakemore launches a special chocolate bar to cheer people up during the coronavirus pandemic
Food Development Colleagues Embark on Virtual Food Tasting
May 07, 2020
Colleagues embark on their first-ever virtual food tasting session!
A.F. Blakemore Set to Launch Fresh Meat Delivery Service
May 07, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is launching a next-day fresh meat home delivery service for the Wolverhampton, Walsall and Cannock areas
Blakemore Retail to Trial Afternoon Tea Box
May 07, 2020
Blakemore Retail will be trialling an afternoon tea box next week at 10 of its stores for customers who want to treat friends and family at home
Throwback Photo Competition: Your Chance to Win
May 07, 2020
This week we’re hosting a colleague throwback photo competition
Pet Photo Contest: Winners Announced
May 01, 2020
After sifting through more than 70 competition entries, it’s time to meet the much-anticipated winners of AFB’s pet contest
Covid-19 Testing: Information for AFB Colleagues
May 01, 2020
The government has announced that Covid-19 testing has been expanded to essential workers in England and members of their households who are showing symptoms of the coronavirus
Celebrating Blakemore GEMs: Q&A with Zak Aston from Willenhall Ambient Depot
April 30, 2020
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, A.F. Blakemore is celebrating colleagues who are going the extra mile for customers and other staff members via its Blakemore GEMs (Going the Extra Mile) scheme
SPAR There for You Message Reaches Record Online Audience
April 30, 2020
A social media campaign run by A.F. Blakemore to recognise the important role that stores and colleagues have played in supporting their communities during the coronavirus pandemic has reached a record online audience of more than 100,000
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
Milk & More: Liam Hancy on Supporting the Business through Covid-19
April 29, 2020
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution National Account Manager Liam Hancy writes about the fantastic work the company is doing with customer Milk & More, who have experienced soaring demand during the coronavirus pandemic
New GroceryAid Support Available for AFB Colleagues
April 28, 2020
National charity GroceryAid announces new welfare support services for grocery colleagues in need amid the coronavirus crisis
A.F. Blakemore Introduces Home Delivery for Most Vulnerable
April 23, 2020
A.F. Blakemore introduces home delivery to 165 of its company-owned stores to assist vulnerable customers in local communities
Pet Photo Contest: Your Chance to Win
April 22, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is offering colleagues the chance to win a pet hamper, gift voucher or donation to a dog rescue centre by entering its pet photo contest
Celebrating Blakemore GEMs: SPAR Elstead
April 21, 2020
All throughout the coronavirus pandemic, A.F. Blakemore is celebrating colleagues who are going the extra mile for customers and other staff members
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
Celebrating Blakemore GEMs: Q&A with Layla from SPAR Wingerworth
April 16, 2020
All throughout the coronavirus pandemic, A.F. Blakemore has been celebrating Blakemore colleagues who have been going the extra mile
Blakemore Foodservice Launches Click & Collect Service
April 16, 2020
Blakemore Foodservice launches a brand new click & collect service at its Darlaston distribution centre to serve people in the West Midlands
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
Rainbow Competition: Your Chance to Win Vouchers Worth £50
April 14, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is offering colleagues the chance to win £50 worth of Love2Shop gift vouchers or a charitable donation to a good cause by entering its rainbow mural competition
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
SPAR Meets Surge in Supply Demand
March 20, 2020
Thousands of SPAR stores around the UK are meeting exceptional customer demand by maintaining a high level of stock availability and service throughout the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic
Colleagues Praised for Outstanding Service in Coronavirus Crisis
March 19, 2020
Customers and SPAR retailers thank AFB colleagues for their commitment to outstanding customer service during the coronavirus outbreak
Blakemore SPARs Shortlisted for Four Convenience Awards
March 12, 2020
Four independent and company-owned SPAR stores make the shortlist for the 2020 Convenience Awards
A.F. Blakemore Celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week
March 04, 2020
A.F. Blakemore celebrates its first Random Acts of Kindness Week with colleagues across the business
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
Women in Blakemore Conference Kick-starts Events to Increase Diversity
March 04, 2020
A.F. Blakemore’s first Women in Blakemore conference kick-starts a series of events designed to focus on how the company can increase its diversity across underrepresented groups
James Russell Cycles Cambodia for Charity
March 02, 2020
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution Managing Director James Russell cycles more than 500km through Cambodia for charity
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes Welsh Businesses on Study Tour
March 02, 2020
A.F. Blakemore welcomes 20 Welsh businesses on a depot tour of Willenhall to introduce them to the company
Blakemore Retail Food Service Apprenticeships: Apply Now
February 28, 2020
Apply now for one of Blakemore Retail’s two new apprenticeships: Level 2 Food Service Team Member or Level 3 Food Service Supervisor
A.F. Blakemore Supplier Event Attracts Record Number of Attendees
February 24, 2020
A.F. Blakemore welcomes more than 300 attendees to its annual Supplier Conference
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
February 07, 2020
Find out about some of the business’s latest new joiners
New Mentoring Programme Piloted across AFB
February 05, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is piloting a new mentoring programme for colleagues across the group of companies
Women in Blakemore Conference Line-up Announced
February 04, 2020
A.F. Blakemore announces the line-up for its Women in Blakemore conference
A.F. Blakemore to Support GroceryAid Awareness Day
February 03, 2020
A.F. Blakemore will be supporting GroceryAid’s annual Awareness Day on Tuesday 3rd March
Coming Soon: Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 03, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is set to host its first Random Acts of Kindness Week in February
Blakemore Benefits: Claim a Free Eye Test this February
February 03, 2020
Vision Express has an exclusive offer of a free eye test for all Blakemore colleagues registered on blakemorebenefits.co.uk
A.F. Blakemore Partners with Disability Sport Wales
February 03, 2020
A.F. Blakemore becomes the National Community Partner of Disability Sport Wales
2020 Starts with a Bang for SPAR UK
January 30, 2020
2020 starts with a bang for SPAR UK, with like-for-like Christmas retail sales up by 2.6% over the four weeks to 29 December 2019
Blakemore Retail Trials Food Waste Fighting App
January 24, 2020
Blakemore Retail has become the latest convenience store retailer to trial the food waste fighting app Too Good to Go
New Year, New Company Values
January 09, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is re-launching its company values: The Blakemore Way
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
Blakemore Foodservice Announces Contract with SOHO Coffee Co.
January 08, 2020
Blakemore Foodservice announces a three-year contract to supply SOHO Coffee Co.
Coming Soon: Women in Blakemore Conference
January 08, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is set to host its first Women in Blakemore conference on 26th February
A.F. Blakemore to Roll Out New Mental Health Programme
January 07, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is set to introduce a new Mental Health in the Workplace programme to the business to help engage and support colleagues
A.F. Blakemore Celebrates Tree-mendous Christmas Giving
January 07, 2020
A.F. Blakemore colleagues support more than a thousand good causes in communities across the company’s trading area over Christmas
Blakemore Colleagues Wrap 2,500 Presents for Local Charities
January 02, 2020
A.F. Blakemore colleagues wrap more than 2,500 Christmas presents for local charities over the festive period
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
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
SPAR London Road Bakery Wins Two IAA Awards
December 04, 2019
SPAR London Road Bakery picks up two titles at the Independent Achievers Academy awards
Blakemore Retail Launches New Food Service Apprenticeships
December 03, 2019
Blakemore Retail is looking for enthusiastic, career-minded individuals with the potential to become managers, supervisors and team leaders of the future
Charity Challenges Raise Hundreds for NSPCC
December 02, 2019
Blakemore Retail colleagues take part in challenges to fundraise for the NPSPCC
Blakemore Retail Colleagues Mark Purple Tuesday 2019
November 27, 2019
Blakemore Retail colleagues host purple-themed activities in-store to celebrate Purple Tuesday
Blakemore Logistics Steps Up for Safer Streets
November 27, 2019
More than 700 pupils from across the West Midlands are educated on the rules of the road as part of Blakemore Logistics’ annual Road Safety campaign
Philpotts Introduces Winter-warming Christmas Range with Vegan Options
October 31, 2019
Philpotts is set to launch a new range for the Christmas period, including a festive selection of hot drinks, wraps and sandwiches
SPAR Spooktacular: the Best of Halloween 2019
October 31, 2019
A.F. Blakemore colleagues get into the spirit of Halloween with a whole host of spooky-themed celebrations
Retail Volunteers Donate 256 Hours to DIY SOS Project
October 30, 2019
A team of Blakemore Retail colleagues has donated 256 hours to a DIY community project set to feature on the television next week
A.F. Blakemore Appoints New Customer Experience Director
October 30, 2019
In September, A.F. Blakemore appointed Sarah Yates to the new position of Customer Experience Director for the group of companies
Diversity Awareness Events Coming Soon
October 29, 2019
A.F. Blakemore’s Diversity Champions have been set their first task to establish a calendar of awareness events to celebrate Equality, Inclusion and Diversity throughout 2020
Blakemore Retail Relocates SPAR Maerdy to New Site
October 28, 2019
Blakemore Retail relocates its Maerdy SPAR store to a brand new site on Maerdy Road
SPAR Retail Show Makes Generous Donation to Local Food Banks
October 28, 2019
A total of 467kg of food, drink, toiletry and household goods were donated to local food banks following Blakemore Trade Partners’ SPAR Retail Show at the International Centre in Telford in October
Local Community Sport Hero Wins 2019 SPAR People’s Podium Award
October 21, 2019
SPAR UK announces Ross Broadbent of Blacon Boxing Club as a regional winner of its People’s Podium initiative, designed to support community sport across the country
Blakemore Retail Commits to Disability Training in Support of Purple Tuesday
October 21, 2019
Blakemore Retail SPAR employees will undertake online disability awareness training in support of Purple Tuesday
Bristol Philpotts Store Relaunches with New Branding
October 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore’s Bristol Philpotts store at Temple Quay has relaunched with a fresh look and new branding
AFB Launches New Retail Strategy to Colleagues at Cluster Seminar
October 03, 2019
Colleagues from across the A.F. Blakemore Group attend a seminar to learn about the company’s new Store Cluster Strategy
A.F. Blakemore Raises a Cuppa for World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
October 02, 2019
Blakemore employees donate more than £1,900 worth of tea, coffee, cake, squash and biscuits to Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’
Blakemore Trade Partners Launches New Retail Strategy at SRS19
October 02, 2019
Blakemore Trade Partners announces a brand-new Store Cluster Strategy at its 2019 SPAR Retail Show, aimed at helping retailers differentiate their stores for different locations and markets
Blakemore Foodservice Becomes Main Supplier to Philpotts
October 02, 2019
Blakemore Foodservice becomes the main food and drink supplier to A.F. Blakemore’s 21 Philpotts stores
Blakemore Retail Raises a Dino-mite £34,000 for NSPCC
October 02, 2019
Blakemore Retail SPAR stores across England and Wales have been on a fundraising drive for the NSPCC while raising awareness about keeping children safe from sexual abuse
A.F. Blakemore Grabs Gold at Walsall Works Partner Awards
October 01, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is presented with Gold Partner Status at the Walsall Works Partner Awards
Blakemore SPARs Celebrate Industry Award Success
October 01, 2019
SPAR stores across the Meridian & Welsh Guild win five titles at this year’s Forecourt Trader and Retail Industry Awards
Blakemore Colleagues Enjoy Football and Theme Park Social Events
September 30, 2019
Blakemore colleagues compete in a football competition and enjoy a day trip to Alton Towers theme park
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
First Diversity Champion Meeting Takes Place
September 04, 2019
A.F. Blakemore’s new Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Engagement Group holds its inaugural meeting in Wolverhampton
A.F. Blakemore Appoints New Head of Digital
September 04, 2019
This summer A.F. Blakemore appointed Stuart Sykes to the position of Head of Digital for the group of companies
Long Service Q&A with Steve and Annette Hadley
September 04, 2019
In July, husband and wife Steve and Annette Hadley from Group Trading and Blakemore Foodservice achieved two significant long service milestones with A.F. Blakemore
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
September 03, 2019
Each month It’s Your e-News goes along to A.F. Blakemore’s company induction to find out more about some of the business’s latest new joiners
A.F. Blakemore Collaborates with SPAR UK for Process Improvement
September 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore collaborates with SPAR UK to improve customer complaints processes across the two organisations
Blakemore SPARs Recognised on Forecourt Trader Awards Shortlist
September 03, 2019
Eight SPAR stores across the Meridian & Welsh Guild have made the Forecourt Trader Awards shortlist for 2019
Blakemore Retail Celebrates Top NSPCC Fundraisers
August 30, 2019
Blakemore Retail recognises its top fundraising stores after announcing a record-breaking year of fundraising that generated more than £450,000 for the NSPCC
A.F. Blakemore Set for Success After Year of Investment
August 28, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is “energised and ready for the year ahead” after a year of significant investment and reorganisation
A.F. Blakemore Sets Sights on New Distribution Depot
August 21, 2019
A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd has set its sights on a brand new purpose-built warehouse in Bedford as part of ambitious growth plans.
Blakemore Retail Launches New SPAR at Burntwood
August 05, 2019
Blakemore Retail opens a brand new SPAR convenience store in Burntwood, Staffordshire
A.F. Blakemore Appoints New Head of Marketing
July 31, 2019
A.F. Blakemore appoints Kev Jones to the position of Head of Marketing for the group of companies
Blakemore Retail Colleagues Raise Record-breaking Total for NSPCC
July 31, 2019
Blakemore Retail colleagues celebrate a record-breaking year of fundraising after generating more than £450,000 for the NSPCC
Blakemore Fine Foods Launches New Eco Range
July 30, 2019
Blakemore Fine Foods launches a new eco range, giving its business customers the opportunity to feature eco-friendly products in their stores
Extra Discounts Now Available on Staff Benefits Scheme
July 29, 2019
A.F. Blakemore’s benefits and saving scheme increases digital gift card discounts at leading national brands
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes SPAR Future Leaders from Around the World
July 26, 2019
A.F. Blakemore welcomes 40 aspiring leaders from 16 countries to South Wales on 2019’s SPAR International Future Leaders Programme
Blakemore Foodservice Cooks Up Storm at Catering Exhibition
July 26, 2019
Colleagues from Blakemore Foodservice and the Country Range Group serve up culinary delights at the Lead Association for CAtering in Education’s (LACA) Main Event
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Staff Zone News
May 22, 2020
Order Now: Fresh Meat Delivery Service Up and Running
May 22, 2020
Lockdown Creations Contest: Winners Announced
May 21, 2020
SPAR Launches New Brand Advert
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