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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
- 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
- Videos
Staff Zone News
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
Have Your Say: Major Life Events Survey and Focus Group Opportunity
June 11, 2021
We’re currently reviewing how we support colleagues through major life events and would love to hear your experiences, if you are happy to share them with us
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
Race at Work Survey 2021: Have Your Say
May 24, 2021
A.F. Blakemore is inviting colleagues to take part in Business in the Community’s 2021 Race at Work Survey
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
Blakemore Benefits: Make the Most of Savings this Spring
April 16, 2021
Make the most of discounts available via A.F. Blakemore’s benefits scheme
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
New 24/7 Virtual GP Service Available to Colleagues
January 08, 2021
A.F. Blakemore offers colleagues access to a 24/7 virtual GP and wellbeing app
Sign Up Now: AFB Pension Scheme Webinars Return
January 07, 2021
A.F. Blakemore will be running three webinars with Aviva in January to introduce the company’s new pensions website to colleagues
Reminder of GroceryAid Support on Offer to AFB Colleagues
January 07, 2021
A.F. Blakemore wants to remind all colleagues across the group that they are eligible for support from GroceryAid
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
Colleagues Support More Than a Thousand Good Causes this Christmas
December 23, 2020
A.F. Blakemore colleagues support more than a thousand good causes in communities across the company’s trading area over the Christmas period
Blakemore Retail Continues Snappy Shopper Van Rollout
December 11, 2020
Blakemore Retail is investing in 40 new delivery vans to keep up with demand for Snappy Shopper home deliveries
Dunkin’ Donuts Launched in Blakemore Retail
December 10, 2020
Blakemore Retail launches a new Dunkin’ Donuts range in 17 of its stores
Help Support Blakemore Retail’s Christmas Fundraising for the NSPCC
December 10, 2020
Help support Blakemore Retail’s fundraising for the NSPCC this Christmas with a letter from Santa or fundraising walk
Blakemore Benefits: Save on Gifts this Christmas
December 10, 2020
This December, the company’s Blakemore Benefits scheme has a wide selection of offers on leading brands to help colleagues save money during the festive period
Shawbirch Store Relaunched after Major Refit
December 09, 2020
Blakemore Retail relaunches its Shawbirch store in Telford after carrying out a major refit
Vegan Store Launches Christmas Range
November 27, 2020
A.F. Blakemore’s Vegan Store websites have launched a new range of plant-based products for Christmas 2020
A.F. Blakemore Launches Black Friday Offers for Retailers
November 27, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is running a series of Black Friday deals for its SPAR and wholesale retail customers
Online Leading the Blakemore Way Programme Piloted
November 27, 2020
Nine AFB colleagues participate in a pilot online Leading the Blakemore Way programme
Colleagues Celebrate Leadership & Management Qualifications
November 23, 2020
Two cohorts of A.F. Blakemore colleagues successfully complete Institute of Leadership & Management programmes
Blakemore Retail Enjoys Record Snappy Shopper Sales
November 13, 2020
Blakemore Retail has seen Snappy Shopper sales and orders increase by 25% over the last two weeks
SRS2020: New Opportunities
November 13, 2020
A.F. Blakemore’s SPAR Retail Show took place virtually on 3rd November and was attended by 1,000 guests
Blakemore Foodservice Reacts to Lockdown: Q&A with Cheryl Hope
November 12, 2020
As Blakemore Foodservice faces the challenge of a new lockdown in England, we caught up with Head of Trading for Foodservice Cheryl Hope to find out how the business is handling the situation
Retail Apprenticeships: Sign Up Now
October 30, 2020
Blakemore Retail is now recruiting its next cohort of apprentices
A.F. Blakemore Relaunches Daily Deli Food to Go
October 29, 2020
A.F. Blakemore has relaunched its Daily Deli food-to-go range for SPAR customers
Blakemore Retail Trials New Pizza-to-go Concept
October 29, 2020
Blakemore Retail is trialling a new pizza-to-go concept in SPAR Aldridge in the West Midlands
New Transport Offices for Willenhall
October 29, 2020
A.F. Blakemore has invested in brand-new facilities for its Transport department in Willenhall
SPAR Takes Top Prize for Luxury Mince Pies
October 15, 2020
The UK’s best mince pies are officially only available at SPAR
AFB Pension Scheme Webinar: View Now
October 15, 2020
A.F. Blakemore has recorded a pension scheme webinar for colleagues
Blakemore Trade Partners Announces Virtual SPAR Retail Show
October 14, 2020
Blakemore Trade Partners announces its first-ever virtual SPAR Retail Show
A.F. Blakemore Launches Own-brand Food-to-go Range
October 13, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is set to launch a new own-brand food-to-go range designed especially for the convenience retail market
A.F. Blakemore Launches New Commission Operator Store Model
October 01, 2020
A.F. Blakemore launches a brand-new commission operator SPAR store model
Last Chance to Sign Up to AFB Pension Scheme Webinar
October 01, 2020
If you want to know more about the proposed changes to A.F. Blakemore’s pension scheme, it’s not too late to sign up to one of the company’s pension scheme webinars next week
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
Bedford Depot Construction Update
September 25, 2020
The construction of A.F. Blakemore’s brand new distribution depot in Bedford has made significant progress over the past few weeks
Wholesale Distribution Online Ordering Website Continues Growth
September 25, 2020
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution’s online ordering website enjoyed its best week yet last week
SPAR Brand Sees Huge Opportunity in Food to Go
September 18, 2020
SPAR is launching seven new own-label food-to-go products in order to drive sales and help fulfil the food-to-go shopping mission
All About Vegan Store: Q&A with Lisa Ruskin
September 17, 2020
A.F. Blakemore catches up with Vegan Store founder Lisa Ruskin to find out more about the business she created
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
Blakemore Retail Buy One, Get One for a Penny Campaign Now Live
September 17, 2020
Blakemore Retail’s ‘Buy One, Get One for a Penny’ campaign is now live across its SPAR estate
Blakemore Retail PANTS Day Raises £31,453
September 11, 2020
Blakemore Retail PANTS Weekend raises an incredible £31,453
Covid-19 Situational Guidance for Colleagues
September 10, 2020
A.F. Blakemore has issued new Covid-19 situational guidance for employees
County Bridge Fresh Meat Trial Delivers Promising Early Results
September 10, 2020
A.F. Blakemore’s expansion of its own-label County Bridge retail fresh meat offering is delivering some fantastic initial sales results
Blakemore Retail Recognises Top Fundraising Stores
September 08, 2020
Blakemore Retail recognises its top fundraising stores after raising more than £252,000 for the NSPCC during its last fundraising year
Last Chance to Sign Up for AFB Mentoring Programme
September 03, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is offering colleagues a final chance to sign up to its mentoring programme before it launches later this month
Blakemore Retail to Launch Buy One, Get One for a Penny Campaign
September 01, 2020
Blakemore Retail is set to launch a ‘Buy One, Get One for a Penny’ campaign next month
Do You Know Anyone Who Deserves to Be Recognised?
August 28, 2020
Do you know anyone in your team who deserves to be recognised with an award?
Blakemore Retail Enjoys Strong Summer Sales
August 27, 2020
Blakemore Retail has enjoyed strong trade this summer, with sales over the last six weeks up 12.54% like for like on last year
Blakemore Retail Launches New Flagship Store in North Wales
August 24, 2020
Blakemore Retail launches a brand-new flagship SPAR store in Bodelwyddan, North Wales
Blakemore Retail Gets Set for Big Bank Holiday Fundraiser
August 20, 2020
Blakemore Retail SPAR stores across England and Wales will be embarking on one of their biggest bank holiday fundraising drives for the NSPCC next weekend
SPAR Continues its Support of British Athletics
August 14, 2020
SPAR, the UK’s leading independent convenience group and partner of British Athletics, continues with its support of the British Athletics Championships
Blakemore Retail Extends Too Good to Go Trial
August 13, 2020
Blakemore Retail extends its trial of the Too Good to Go food waste fighting app, with 57 SPAR stores now registered on the platform
SPAR Remains Committed to Helping Vulnerable People
August 13, 2020
SPAR continues its commitment to multiple charities around the UK to ensure that everyone has access to essentials and the ability to shop in a safe environment
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
Eat Out to Help Out Scheme Boosts Foodservice Sales
August 12, 2020
Blakemore Foodservice experiences a boost to sales thanks to the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme
HR Self-service System: Have You Logged In Yet?
August 07, 2020
All AFB colleagues who have registered and confirmed an email address with the company should now have received an email inviting them to log in to A.F. Blakemore’s new HR and Payroll self-service system, ‘MyHR’
AFB to Roll Out County Bridge Fresh Meat to More Stores
August 07, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is evolving its County Bridge fresh meat offer with the introduction of new retail packs and expansion into more SPAR stores via centralised distribution
Wholesale Distribution Online Ordering Website Goes from Strength to Strength
August 07, 2020
Blakemore Wholesale Distribution’s online ordering website has been going from strength to strength since relaunching in May
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