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Staff Zone News
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
As Blakemore Retail’s food service business continues to expand and move forward, the company is looking for enthusiastic, career-minded individuals with the potential to become managers, supervisors and team leaders of the future
Christmas Wrapping Volunteers Needed
December 02, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is looking for volunteers in the West Midlands area to help wrap Christmas presents for children in need
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
£40 Off Butlin’s Summer Holidays
July 17, 2019
Bourne Leisure is offering A.F. Blakemore colleagues the chance to enjoy £40 off a Butlin’s summer holiday break
Retail Industry Awards 2019 Shortlist Announced
July 15, 2019
Three independent SPAR retailers across the Meridian & Welsh Guild have made the Retail Industry Awards shortlist
A.F. Blakemore Crowned National Winner at Business in the Community Awards
July 10, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is celebrating after being crowned a national winner at the prestigious Responsible Business Awards 2019, run by Business in the Community
Peter Blakemore Outlines Vision for One Company with One Goal
July 04, 2019
Peter Blakemore reinforces his vision of one company with one goal for A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd at the company’s 2019 Management Communication Day
A.F. Blakemore Ranked 44th Largest Privately Owned Company in Britain
July 04, 2019
A.F. Blakemore & Son has been named the 44th largest privately owned company in Britain in the Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 100
A.F. Blakemore Builds Leadership Resilience in Walsall Students
July 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore pilots a new education programme to help secondary school children develop the resilience, attitudes and behaviours for success
Start Saving: New Staff Benefits Scheme Now Live
July 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has launched a new benefits and saving scheme to help colleagues save money on leading national brands
Blakemore Foodservice Joins Country Range Group
June 14, 2019
Blakemore Foodservice joins the Country Range Group network of independent wholesalers
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
Blakemore Logistics Invests in Hybrid Refrigeration
June 10, 2019
Blakemore Logistics introduces hybrid refrigeration units to 13 of its trailers to significantly reduce its vehicle emissions
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
Colleagues Go Western to Help Keep Children Safe Online
June 03, 2019
Colleagues based at Blakemore Retail SPAR stores across England and Wales threw on their Stetsons and denim jeans to raise awareness and help fundraise for the NSPCC
A.F. Blakemore to Launch New Staff Benefits Scheme
June 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is set to launch a new benefits and saving scheme to help colleagues save money on leading national brands
SPAR Presteigne Re-launches with New Extended Range
May 30, 2019
Blakemore Retail’s Presteigne SPAR store has re-launched with an added Daily Deli baguette range, extended chilled range and slush machine
Future Leaders Delegates Celebrate Course Completion
May 30, 2019
Eleven colleagues are on track to achieve a nationally recognised qualification after successfully completing A.F. Blakemore’s Future Leaders Apprenticeship programme
Gary Stakes Celebrates 30 Years of Service
May 29, 2019
In March BTP New Business Manager Gary Stakes achieved 30 years of service with A.F. Blakemore
New Econic Vehicles Hit the Road
May 29, 2019
Blakemore Logistics demonstrates its commitment to road safety with the purchase of two Mercedes-Benz Econic vehicles
A.F. Blakemore Diversity Engagement Group: Last Chance to Apply
May 29, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is looking for colleagues who are passionate about diversity to be part of a brand new cross-divisional Engagement Group to champion and grow awareness of Equality, Inclusion and Diversity across the business
Blakemore Retail Colleagues ‘Survive the Wild’ and Raise Over £13,000 for NSPCC
May 24, 2019
Eight senior colleagues from Blakemore Retail take on a ‘Survive the Wild’ charity challenge to raise funds for the NSPCC
Colleagues Don Disco-themed Bras to Raise Thousands for Walk the Walk
May 23, 2019
Nine Blakemore colleagues take part in night fundraising event MoonWalk London in aid of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk
SPAR UK Appoints Louise Hoste as New Managing Director
May 16, 2019
SPAR UK Ltd announces the appointment of Louise Hoste as its new Managing Director
Flagship Store Programme Shortlisted for Grocer Gold Award
May 01, 2019
A.F. Blakemore’s Flagship Store Programme is shortlisted for Business Initiative of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards
A.F. Blakemore Commences Partnership with GroceryAid
May 01, 2019
A.F. Blakemore partners with national charity GroceryAid to provide welfare support services to colleagues across its group of companies
Eggceptional Easter Support for Local Good Causes
May 01, 2019
Easter springs early for local good causes across A.F. Blakemore’s trading area with an ‘eggcellent’ display of colleague-led charitable giving and fundraising
A.F. Blakemore Launches Diversity Engagement Group
May 01, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is looking for colleagues who are passionate about diversity to be part of a brand new cross-divisional Engagement Group to champion and grow awareness of Equality, Inclusion and Diversity across the business
Senior Team to Take On Bear Grylls Challenge
April 30, 2019
Blakemore Retail’s Bear Grylls ‘Survive the Wild’ Executive Challenge is fast approaching and the senior team is now in your hands!
A.F. Blakemore Colleagues Master Marathon for Charity
April 30, 2019
Four employees have collectively raised more than £9,000 for charity by running the London Marathon
A.F. Blakemore Announced as Finalist for Responsible Business Awards
April 29, 2019
A.F. Blakemore is named as a finalist for Business in the Community’s Responsible Business Awards 2019
Caoire Blakemore Joins Black Country Women in Business Steering Group
April 17, 2019
A.F. Blakemore Group Board Director Caoire Blakemore has joined the steering group of the Black Country Women in Business forum
Blakemore Retail Ball Fundraises £32,000 for NSPCC
April 16, 2019
Blakemore Retail raises £32,000 for the NSPCC at its third Charity Ball
Blakemore Foodservice to Double Sales by 2024
April 16, 2019
Blakemore Foodservice announces ambitious plans to target new markets and double sales over the next five years
A.F. Blakemore Bids Farewell to Bryan Walters
April 03, 2019
After almost 32 years’ loyal service, BTP Regional Sales Director Bryan Walters retired from A.F. Blakemore on March 15th
2018 Gender Pay Gap Report Out Now
April 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has published its 2018 Gender Pay Gap Report, covering employee data for the 12 months up to April 5th 2018
Ranald Forbes Announced as Supply Chain Director
April 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has announced the appointment of a new Supply Chain Director for its group of companies
Nikki Rogers Appointed Food Solutions Director
April 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has announced the appointment of a new Food Solutions Director for its group of companies
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
April 02, 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
Mike Adams OBE Congratulates Blakemore Retail on Disability Awareness Training
April 01, 2019
The CEO of disability awareness charity Purple, Mike Adams OBE, has congratulated Blakemore Retail on winning an award for its disability awareness training
New Blakemore Way Newspaper Published
April 01, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has published a new Blakemore Way newspaper containing an overview of activity that has taken place across the A.F. Blakemore Group in recent months
Double Success at Convenience Retail Awards
April 01, 2019
Eat 17 SPAR Hammersmith scoops Best New Store and Blakemore Retail’s Lyndsay Howden-Smith walks away with the Community Hero award
A.F. Blakemore Launches Education Programme for Secondary Schools
February 27, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has launched a brand new education programme for secondary school children to help them develop the attitudes and behaviours for success
Second Cohort Embarks on Future Leaders Journey
February 27, 2019
A.F. Blakemore’s Future Leaders Apprenticeship programme has welcomed its second lot of delegates
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
New Community Engagement Report Published
February 27, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has produced a publication showcasing the great work that took place as part of the company’s community engagement programme during 2018
2016 Apprentice Winner Launches Cake Range at SPAR Pwllheli
February 26, 2019
The winner of 2016’s The Apprentice launches a delicious cake range at independent retailer Conrad Davies’ SPAR Pwllheli
A.F. Blakemore Bids Farewell to Owen Davies
February 26, 2019
After 28 years of loyal service, Blakemore Retail Senior Regional Manager Owen Davies retired from the business in February
BTP’s Steve Burchett Receives Surprise of a Lifetime from Chelsea Football Legend
February 25, 2019
BTP Business Development Manager Steve Burchett received the surprise of a lifetime when he got to meet Chelsea football legend Dennis Wise on a SPAR visit
Blakemore Retail Colleagues in a Spin to Raise Over £1,500 for NSPCC
February 15, 2019
Blakemore Retail colleagues take on the gruelling challenge of a spinathon to raise more than £1,500 for the NSPCC
Shop Owner is ‘Industry Champion’
February 04, 2019
Llanfyllin SPAR owner Mark Prust shares his retail knowledge to become an ‘Industry Champion’ for Derwen College, near Oswestry
A.F. Blakemore Centenary Publication Now Out
January 29, 2019
A.F. Blakemore has published a 100th anniversary commemorative publication showcasing the company’s history through photos, memories and newspaper cuttings
SPAR UK Raises £1 Million for Marie Curie
January 29, 2019
SPAR UK’s fundraising efforts for terminal illness charity Marie Curie pass the £1 million mark
Dirk Bickley Celebrates 30 Years of Service
January 28, 2019
Blakemore Foodservice Darlaston General Manager Dirk Bickley achieves 30 years of service with A.F. Blakemore
Logistics Focus Groups Set Up to Strengthen Recruitment of Women
January 28, 2019
Female employees from across Blakemore Logistics take part in focus groups to strengthen the recruitment and retention of women in Logistics
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
Warehouse Job Opportunities for Flexible Workers
January 25, 2019
Do you know anyone looking for part- or full-time work this summer?
SPAR Brayford Wharf Relaunches with New Food-to-go Range
January 23, 2019
SPAR Brayford Wharf has undergone a significant transformation to introduce Blakemore Retail’s latest food-to-go offer
SPAR Wrexham Relaunches with New Juice Bar
January 22, 2019
Blakemore Retail’s Wrexham SPAR store has re-launched with a new juice bar and upgraded Costa Coffee machine
Eat 17 Shortlisted for Four Convenience Retail Awards
January 22, 2019
Fine food and restaurant chain Eat 17 has been shortlisted for four titles at the 2019 Convenience Retail Awards
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December 04, 2019
SPAR International Presents A.F. Blakemore with Special Recognition Award
December 04, 2019
A.F. Blakemore Signs Up to Refill Campaign
December 04, 2019
SPAR London Road Bakery Wins Two IAA Awards
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