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Staff Zone Menu 
- Welcome
- Brand Guidelines
- News
- Board Member’s View
- Staff Benefits
- Blakemore Benefits
- Blakemore Retail Rewards
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Payroll Giving
- The Retail Trust
- Pension Scheme
- Blakemore 2018 DC Statement
- Capper DC Statement
- SPAR Promotions
- Our Community
- Company Policies
- B-Retail Employee Handbook
- Learning & Development
- Recent Activity
- Training Calendar
- LTBW e-Learning Guide
- Health & Wellbeing
- Blakemore in the Press
- Ask the Board
- E-newsletter
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Staff Zone News
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
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
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
January 17, 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 Relaunches Payroll Giving across the Business
January 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore relaunches its Payroll Giving scheme with site visits and an online platform to make it as easy as possible for employees to sign up
New Blakemore Retail Magazine Out Now
January 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore publishes the latest edition of its Blakemore Retail magazine
Blakemore Colleagues Celebrate Cracking Community Christmas
January 02, 2019
A.F. Blakemore employees supported more than two thousand different good causes in their local communities this Christmas
Process Improvement to Drive Change across Willenhall Chilled
January 02, 2019
Process management and process improvement are introduced into Willenhall’s chilled logistics operation to help deliver efficiencies and improve customer service
Community Volunteering Steps Up in Logistics
December 31, 2018
Community volunteering across Blakemore Logistics stepped up a gear as Christmas approached, with employees donating more than 560 hours of work time to community groups
Flagship Store Programme Delivers Double-digit Sales Growth for BTP Retailers
December 28, 2018
SPAR stores on Blakemore Trade Partners’ Flagship Store programme are experiencing retail sales growth of up to 30%
100-year Prize Draw Winners Announced
December 24, 2018
To mark the end of A.F. Blakemore’s centenary celebrations, the company launched a 100-year prize draw in September, open to all colleagues
Santa Stops Early for Blakemore Kids Christmas Parties
December 13, 2018
Christmas came early for children of colleagues across the Blakemore estate at the company’s annual Kids Christmas Party celebrations
A.F. Blakemore Provides Careers Boost to Black Country Students
December 06, 2018
More than 3,500 students will receive a career boost thanks to a pioneering partnership between A.F. Blakemore and companies from across the Business in the Community network
Blakemore Retail Praised for Disability Awareness Training
December 04, 2018
Blakemore Retail is recognised with an award for its innovative disability e-learning training by the charity Purple
ILM Level 2 Delegates Successfully Complete Programme
December 04, 2018
Ten A.F. Blakemore colleagues are on track to achieve a nationally recognised qualification after successfully completing an ILM Level 2 Certificate in Leadership & Team Skills programme
SPAR Droitwich Relaunched at Brand New Site
December 03, 2018
Blakemore Retail’s Droitwich SPAR store relaunches with new Daily Deli food to go at a brand new location
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
December 03, 2018
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
Blakemore Logistics Delivers Road Safety Message to Schools
November 28, 2018
More than 800 pupils from across the West Midlands are educated on the rules of the road as part of Blakemore Logistics’ annual road safety campaign
Blakemore Bids Farewell to Brian
November 26, 2018
Blakemore Fine Foods Depot Manager Brian Carr retires following 21 years’ service for the company
SPAR Greater Leys Relaunches with New Greggs Department
November 23, 2018
Blakemore Retail’s Greater Leys SPAR store in Oxford reveals a new look after a considerable transformation
Blakemore Retail Colleagues Take Stairway to Sky to Help NSPCC
November 01, 2018
Blakemore Retail colleagues climb to the top of one of London’s most iconic buildings to raise money for the NSPCC
New Project Admin Training Launched
November 01, 2018
A.F. Blakemore launches a new Project Admin training session to support the delivery of key projects across the business
Blakemore Colleagues Get Scare On for Halloween
November 01, 2018
A.F. Blakemore colleagues support a whole host of fang-tastic community activities this Halloween
Future Leaders Apprenticeship: Last Call for Applicants
November 01, 2018
The deadline to apply for A.F. Blakemore’s next Future Leaders Apprenticeship programme is November 30th 2018
In the Spotlight: Six Q&As with Blakemore Retail Colleagues
October 30, 2018
Blakemore Retail invites some of its longest serving colleagues to take part in a quick Q&A
Drivers Celebrate Warehouse to Wheels Success
October 29, 2018
A.F. Blakemore employees celebrate successfully qualifying as LGV drivers on the company’s Warehouse to Wheels programme
Blakemore Retail’s NSPCC Fundraising Reaches New Heights
October 17, 2018
Ten Blakemore Retail colleagues have thrown themselves into a fundraising challenge, jumping out of a plane and plunging 10,000 feet in the name of charity
White’s Calver Crowned Baldwin Trophy Winners at SRS 2018
October 08, 2018
White’s Calver is crowned the best SPAR retailer across the Meridian & Welsh Guild
Blakemore Foundation Supports Macmillan Coffee Morning
October 03, 2018
Blakemore employees have donated more than £1,800 worth of tea, coffee, cake, squash and biscuits to Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
October 02, 2018
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
Blakemore Foodservice Inspires Next Generation at East Midlands Trade Show
October 02, 2018
Blakemore Foodservice welcomes students from Midlands-based school Glascote Academy to discover more about healthy and nutritional food at its annual East Midlands trade show
SPAR Crowned Symbol Group of the Year at Retail Industry Awards
October 02, 2018
SPAR is crowned Symbol/Fascia Group of the Year at the 2018 Retail Industry Awards
Blakemore Foodservice Donates £5,000 to Midlands-based Cancer Charities
October 02, 2018
Kind hearted employees from Blakemore Foodservice have donated £5,000 to charities Walsall Breast Cancer Support Group and Balls to Cancer
SPAR Gabalfa Announced as SRS 2018’s £100,000 Big Investment Winner
October 01, 2018
Blakemore Trade Partners presents SPAR Gabalfa, Cardiff, with a transformational £100,000 investment award to further develop the successful family-run business
Richard Harman Talks Strategy with Better Wholesaling
September 27, 2018
Head of Blakemore Foodservice Richard Harman talks about the latest business developments across Blakemore Foodservice with Better Wholesaling magazine
Blakemore Retail Launches New Insomnia Coffee Shop at Thurcroft
September 21, 2018
Blakemore Retail extends its Insomnia coffee offer by opening a brand new coffee shop at the location of its recently relaunched SPAR Thurcroft store in Rotherham
A.F. Blakemore to Showcase Centenary in Express & Star Supplement
September 06, 2018
A.F. Blakemore has worked with West Midlands-based newspaper the Express & Star to produce a business supplement that showcases the company’s 100 years in business
SPAR Retail Show Inspires with Food for Thought
September 06, 2018
More than 1,200 colleagues, suppliers and retailers attend Blakemore Trade Partners’ SPAR Retail Show, themed ‘Food for Thought’
Foodservice Colleagues Tackle Banks’s 10k Run for Charity
September 05, 2018
Blakemore Foodservice colleagues banded together to take on the Banks’s 10k run in Wolverhampton to raise over £600 for chosen charity, the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital
A.F. Blakemore Welcomes New Starters on Company Induction
September 05, 2018
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.
Future Leaders Apprenticeship Programme Now Recruiting
September 05, 2018
A.F. Blakemore is looking for 12 new delegates for its Future Leaders Apprenticeship programme, scheduled to commence with a second cohort in early 2019
Hastings Colleagues Celebrate Recognition at Truckfest
September 05, 2018
Blakemore Logistics colleagues in Hastings are celebrating after receiving recognition for their trucks at Europe’s biggest trucking festival, Truckfest
Refer a Driver and Receive £400 in Vouchers
September 05, 2018
In a bid to assist with driver recruitment across Blakemore Logistics, a new incentive scheme has introduced for employees
Blakemore Retail Raises Child Safety Awareness and a Roarsome £52,000 for the NSPCC
September 04, 2018
Blakemore Retail SPAR stores across England and Wales have been on a bank holiday fundraising drive for the NSPCC while at the same time raising awareness about how parents can keep their children safe from sexual abuse
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
Blakemore SPARs Shortlisted for Forecourt Trader Awards
August 13, 2018
SPAR retailers across the Meridian & Welsh Guild have once again received notable recognition on this year’s Forecourt Trader Awards shortlist
A.F. Blakemore Warehouse Apprentice Well Picked
August 09, 2018
A go-getting young recruit at A.F. Blakemore celebrates becoming the first person to complete the company’s new Warehouse & Distribution apprenticeship programme
Retail Industry Awards 2018 Shortlist Announced
August 02, 2018
SPAR retailers represent a third of the finalists announced on the Retail Industry Awards shortlist
A.F. Blakemore to Publish Centenary Commemorative Publication
August 01, 2018
Register your interest for A.F. Blakemore’s centenary commemorative publication, celebrating 100 years in business
A.F. Blakemore Launches New Instagram Profile
July 31, 2018
A.F. Blakemore has enhanced its social media presence with the addition of a new Instagram profile
Learning & Development July News Roundup
July 29, 2018
Courses led by A.F. Blakemore’s Learning & Development department in July include a Facilitation Skills workshop and two-day Leading the Blakemore Way course
Blakemore Foodservice Inspires at LACA’s Main Event
July 25, 2018
Blakemore Foodservice teams up with supplier Pan’Artisan for the LACA’s education catering exhibition
Blakemore Retail Colleagues Honoured for NSPCC Fundraising
July 23, 2018
Blakemore Retail employees are honoured for going the extra mile to help raise more than £3 million for the NSPCC
Blakemore Retail Colleague Football Tournament Raises Over £1,000 for NSPCC
July 20, 2018
Colleagues take to the pitch for Blakemore Retail’s 10th annual football tournament in aid of the NSPCC
A.F. Blakemore Ranked 44th Largest Privately Owned Company in Britain
July 12, 2018
A.F. Blakemore & Son has been named the 44th largest privately owned company in Britain in the Sunday Times HSBC Top Track 100
Leading the Blakemore Way Refreshers: Spaces Available
July 05, 2018
A.F. Blakemore has spaces available for delegates on two of its upcoming Leading the Blakemore Way Refresher sessions
Blakemore Foodservice Crowned Favourite Delivered Wholesaler at HIM Wholesale Awards
July 03, 2018
Blakemore Foodservice scoops the title of Independent Foodservice Operator’s Favourite Delivered Wholesaler at the HIM Wholesale Awards
Phyllis Fellows Celebrates 45 Years’ Service
July 03, 2018
In June, Blakemore Foodservice’s Phyliss Fellows celebrated an incredible 45 years’ service with the business
A.F. Blakemore Rolls Out Equality, Inclusion & Diversity Sessions
July 03, 2018
A.F. Blakemore begins the rollout of a new Equality, Inclusion & Diversity (EID) awareness session across the company
Process Improvement Helps Blakemore Foundation Award Record Donations
July 02, 2018
A series of process improvement initiatives helped the Blakemore Foundation to award a record number of charitable donations to good causes in 2017/18
Blakemore Retail Conference 2018: Shaping Our Future - The Pace of Change
June 28, 2018
More than 500 store managers, field staff, A.F. Blakemore colleagues and suppliers attend Blakemore Retail’s Managers Conference to find out about future development plans
Blakemore Retail Fundraising for NSPCC Tops £3 Million
June 14, 2018
Blakemore Retail has raises £3 million to help the NSPCC make a difference to 800,000 children’s lives
Guild Academy Launches New Interactive Learning Modules
June 01, 2018
A.F. Blakemore’s Guild Academy extends its Interactive Learning programme for SPAR retailers with the launch of a new suite of online learning modules
Blakemore Retail Colleagues Receive Life-saving Training
May 31, 2018
Senior Regional Manager Owen Davies and Area Manager Donna Cooper join colleagues from SPAR Kidderminster to attend life-saving defibrillator training
Blakemore Trade Partners Launches New Innovation Platform
May 31, 2018
Blakemore Trade Partners launches a new innovation website at its 2018 colleague Communication Day
A.F. Blakemore Rolls Out Tonight’s Tea Concept across SPAR Stores
May 30, 2018
A.F. Blakemore is rolling out a new Tonight’s Tea concept across its company-owned and independent SPAR stores after a successful trial
SPAR Melton Raises £1,500 to Install Defibrillator
May 30, 2018
Colleagues at SPAR Melton raise funds for a life-saving defibrillator with a series of Easter-themed fundraisers
Blakemore Retail’s Owen Davies Sleeps Rough for Homeless Charities
May 29, 2018
Blakemore Retail Senior Regional Manager Owen Davies takes part in a sleep out to help raise awareness of homelessness
New Customer Service Programme Launched
May 29, 2018
A.F. Blakemore’s Learning & Development team launches a new Customer Service programme to share best practice and help ensure a consistent approach to handling queries across the business
SPAR Bakewell Relaunches with Ice-cream Counter and Insomnia Coffee
May 29, 2018
Blakemore Retail’s Bakewell SPAR store relaunches with serve-over ice-cream and fresh self-serve Insomnia coffee
Blakemore Logistics Helps 100 Young People into Work
May 28, 2018
Blakemore Logistics helps more than 100 young people into work as a result of a partnership with a West Midlands employability programme
British Athletics Partners SPAR to Boost Community Sport with People’s Podium
May 22, 2018
SPAR UK launches a new campaign designed to support community sport across the United Kingdom
SPAR Wins Top Titles at HIM Awards
May 11, 2018
SPAR UK scoops two wins at the HIM Awards 2018
New Facilitation Skills Course Piloted
May 03, 2018
A.F. Blakemore launches a new Facilitation Skills course to help cultivate leaders with the essential skills and capabilities to effectively facilitate meetings
AFB Colleagues Inspire Future Generations in Responsible Business Week
May 03, 2018
A.F. Blakemore colleagues participate in a week of educational events to raise the aspirations of young people as part of a national awareness campaign promoting responsible business
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Staff Zone News
April 17, 2019
Caoire Blakemore Joins Black Country Women in Business Steering Group
April 16, 2019
Blakemore Retail Ball Fundraises £32,000 for NSPCC
April 03, 2019
A.F. Blakemore Bids Farewell to Bryan Walters
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