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Staff Zone Menu 
- Welcome
- Brand Guidelines
- News
- Staff Benefits
- Blakemore Benefits
- Blakemore Retail Rewards
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Payroll Giving
- GroceryAid
- Pension Scheme
- Investment Principles
- Implementation Statements
- AFB Employee Handbook
- B-Retail Employee Handbook
- Anti-facilitation of Tax Evasion
- Learning & Development
- LTBW e-Learning
- Philpotts e-Learning
- Customer Service e-Learning
- Microsoft Teams User Guide
- Ask the Board
Staff Zone News
A.F. Blakemore Christmas Campaign to Give Away up to £100,000 Worth of Prizes
December 01, 2022
A.F. Blakemore & Son is set to launch a SPAR Christmas campaign giving away up to £100,000 worth of prizes
A.F. Blakemore Wins at FWD Gold Medal Awards
November 28, 2022
A.F. Blakemore is celebrating after winning the Data and Insight award at the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) Gold Medal Awards
Meat Trader Bal Mehmi Wins National Award
November 22, 2022
Meat Trader Bal Mehmi from Blakemore Fresh Foods is crowned a winner at the national Women in Meat Industry Awards
Independent Retailer Muru Visana Opens New SPAR Market Store in Clavering
November 08, 2022
The picturesque village of Clavering in Essex is home to a brand-new SPAR Market owned by enterprising independent retailer Muru Visana and family
SPAR Harnessing the Power of the Past, to Be the Force for the Future
October 27, 2022
Four hundred people attend SPAR UK’s national conference in Gran Canaria
Local MP Launches New Post Office at SPAR Chipping Sodbury
October 25, 2022
Blakemore Retail’s Chipping Sodbury store celebrates the opening of a brand-new post office with a visit from a local MP
New SPAR Market Store for Dersingham Sees Substantial Increase in Sales and Margin
October 21, 2022
An independent family-owned SPAR store in Dersingham rebrands as a SPAR Market store
A.F. Blakemore Helps 108 Colleagues Gain New LGV Driving Licence
September 30, 2022
A.F. Blakemore’s driver training programmes enables 108 colleagues to gain a new LGV driving licence in the past 12 months
Q&A with Bedford General Manager Bruno Krssak
September 30, 2022
Back in August, A.F. Blakemore welcomed Bruno Krssak to the business as General Manager for its Bedford distribution depot
Llanharry SPAR and Post Office Relaunches After Fire
September 29, 2022
Blakemore Retail’s Llanharry SPAR and Post Office reopens after extensive fire and water damage forced it to close in April
Blakemore Colleagues Enjoy Free Day Out at Alton Towers
September 29, 2022
More than 800 A.F. Blakemore colleagues enjoy a free day out at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire
SPAR Supports One Tree Planted Campaign
September 29, 2022
SPAR UK is supporting the international brand’s 90th anniversary celebrations by giving back to communities and planting 12,500 trees all over England with leading organisation One Tree Planted
Lisa James Crowned Sales Colleague of the Year
September 27, 2022
SPAR Beddau Supervisor Lisa James wins Sales Colleague of the Year at The Convenience Awards
Blakemore Retail Bank Holiday Fundraising Tops £30,000
September 14, 2022
Blakemore Retail’s August bank holiday fundraiser has already raised more than £30,000 for the NSPCC
Five Colleagues Cycle London to Paris for GroceryAid
September 13, 2022
Five A.F. Blakemore colleagues complete an epic bike ride from London to Paris in aid of charity GroceryAid
Retail Colleagues Lend a Hand to Food Banks and Homeless Services
September 13, 2022
Blakemore Retail colleagues help various good causes supporting people in need during the school summer holidays.
Five Colleagues Embark on GroceryAid London to Paris Cycle
September 09, 2022
Five A.F. Blakemore colleagues embarked upon an epic bike ride from London to Paris in aid of charity GroceryAid
Blakemore Colleagues Celebrate Apprenticeship Success
August 26, 2022
Five A.F. Blakemore colleagues celebrate completing apprenticeships at a graduation ceremony at Stafford County Showground
Colleagues Team Up for Big Day of Volunteering with Disability Sport Wales
August 26, 2022
Twenty-nine colleagues from A.F. Blakemore volunteer a day of work time to help Disability Sport Wales deliver a major sports festival event
GroceryAid Week: Get Involved
August 26, 2022
Colleagues get set to celebrate GroceryAid Week from Monday 5th September to Sunday 11th September
SPAR Stores Shortlisted for Multiple Industry Awards
August 24, 2022
Blakemore Retail and independent SPAR stores across the Meridian & Welsh Guild make the shortlist at 2022’s Convenience, Retail Industry and Forecourt Trader Awards
Bal Mehmi Nominated for Women in Meat Award
August 22, 2022
Meat Trader Bal Mehmi from Blakemore Fresh Foods is nominated for a Meat Businesswoman Award at the national Women in Meat Industry Awards
NSPCC Launches New Virtual Volunteering Opportunity
August 02, 2022
Five Blakemore colleagues take part in a new virtual community volunteering opportunity with the NSPCC
Bedford Colleagues Make a Splash with Raft Race Fundraiser
August 01, 2022
Colleagues at A.F. Blakemore’s Bedford distribution depot brave their local river waters to take part in a raft race in aid of charity
Blakemore Retail Conference Looks to Future
July 29, 2022
More than 250 store managers attend Blakemore Retail’s Managers’ Conference to learn about exciting new initiatives setting the business up for future success
SPAR UK Awards £100,000 to Good Causes Via Community Cashback Scheme
July 12, 2022
SPAR UK awards £100,000 to good causes across the UK via its Community Cashback scheme
SPAR Launches New Partnership with Deliveroo
June 22, 2022
SPAR UK signes a new partnership deal with Deliveroo covering all 2,160 SPAR stores in England, Scotland and Wales
Blakemore Retail Spring Ball Raises £40,000 for NSPCC
June 22, 2022
Blakemore Retail raises more than £40,000 for the NSPCC at its fourth charity ball
SPAR Retail Show 2022: New World, New Opportunities
June 17, 2022
‘New World, New Opportunities’ was the key theme lighting up the room at Blakemore Trade Partners’ SPAR Retail Show this year
Blakemore Retail Colleagues Celebrate Jubilee
June 10, 2022
Blakemore Retail colleagues enjoy the long bank holiday weekend celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a fundraiser for the NSPCC
A.F. Blakemore Bids Farewell to Geoff Hallam
June 10, 2022
Colleagues wish A.F. Blakemore’s Group Managing Director for Operations, Geoff Hallam, a happy retirement after 32 years with the business
Can You Help Shape Your Pension Scheme?
June 09, 2022
Now that the A.F. Blakemore Retirement Savings Plan with Aviva is up and running, we want to make sure that it continues to deliver what members really need and value - and so we need your help
Blakemore Retail Set for Big Bank Holiday Weekend
June 01, 2022
Blakemore Retail colleagues are getting ready for a big bank holiday weekend celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
A.F. Blakemore Launches Race at Work Strategy
May 18, 2022
A.F. Blakemore launches a Race at Work Strategy
SPAR Own Label Expands for Summer BBQs
May 09, 2022
SPAR launches a variety of own label products to maximise this summer’s great opportunity
Blakemore Retail Opens New Purpose-Built SPAR in Spalding
May 04, 2022
Blakemore Retail launches a brand-new SPAR convenience store in the town of Spalding, Lincolnshire
Last Chance to Get Behind SPAR Play & Win Trivia Game
April 22, 2022
There are just five days remaining for colleagues to get behind A.F. Blakemore’s new ‘Play & Win’ smartphone game!
SPAR Aberavon Relaunches with New and Improved Food to Go
April 22, 2022
SPAR Aberavon relaunches with a new and improved hot food counter serving delicious food to go
Blakemore Retail Wins at NSPCC Corporate Impact Awards
April 21, 2022
Blakemore Retail is recognised at the NSPCC Corporate Impact Awards with the CEO’s Choice Award for Fundraising
A.F. Blakemore Trials Electric HGV
April 06, 2022
A.F. Blakemore trials an electric truck at its Willenhall distribution centre
A.F. Blakemore to Launch SPAR Augmented Reality Game App
April 05, 2022
A.F. Blakemore is set to launch an interactive augmented reality (AR) game app that offers customers the chance to win prizes at SPAR stores
Mentoring Programme Reopens for Applications
March 25, 2022
A.F. Blakemore opens its Mentoring Programme up again for a new intake of mentors and mentees
Coming Soon: Environment Week
March 25, 2022
A.F. Blakemore is inviting all colleagues to get involved in Environment Week next month
Blakemore Colleagues Pack Bags of Essentials for People in Need
March 25, 2022
Blakemore Foodservice and Wholesale Distribution colleagues volunteer 31 hours of work time to packing bags of essentials for people in need
A.F. Blakemore Educates Schoolchildren on Rules of the Road
March 24, 2022
A.F. Blakemore relaunches its road safety awareness campaign to more than 450 students at two West Midlands schools
Join Marie Curie’s National Day of Reflection
March 18, 2022
A.F. Blakemore is inviting colleagues to join in with Marie Curie’s National Day of Reflection
Colleagues Go Above and Beyond for Ukraine Appeals
March 18, 2022
A.F. Blakemore colleagues and retailers support numerous appeals to help Ukrainian people
World Cancer Day Raises More Than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK
March 17, 2022
A.F. Blakemore takes part in World Cancer Day
Look Out: New Colleague Survey Coming Soon
March 04, 2022
A.F. Blakemore will be inviting all colleagues to have their say on working at the business in a new company-wide survey later this March
Blakemore Volunteers Support Wolverhampton Food Parcel Scheme
March 04, 2022
Seven Blakemore colleagues volunteer their work time to supporting a school half-term food parcel scheme in Wolverhampton
Q&A with Environmental Sustainability Manager Darshika Patel
March 02, 2022
Find out more about new Environmental Sustainability Manager Darshika Patel
A.F. Blakemore to Trial Electric HGV
March 02, 2022
A.F. Blakemore will be trialling an electric truck at its Willenhall distribution centre for a week in March
Blakemore Retail Unveils New Concept Store at SPAR Aberystwyth
February 18, 2022
Blakemore Retail launches a brand-new concept store at SPAR Aberystwyth
A.F. Blakemore Appoints New Group Commercial Director
February 16, 2022
A.F. Blakemore appoints David Cooke to the newly created role of Group Commercial Director
SPAR Reports Buoyant Christmas and New Year Trading
February 07, 2022
SPAR announces market-leading sales for the four weeks to 2nd January 2022
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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Staff Zone News
December 01, 2022
A.F. Blakemore Christmas Campaign to Give Away up to £100,000 Worth of Prizes
November 28, 2022
A.F. Blakemore Wins at FWD Gold Medal Awards
November 22, 2022
Meat Trader Bal Mehmi Wins National Award
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