Home > Supplier Zone > News
Main Menu
- Why Blakemore?
- Our Business
- The Blakemore Way
- Working in Partnership
- Local Marketing Partners
- Become a Supplier
- Meet the Trading Team
- News
Supplier Zone Menu 
Supplier Zone News
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
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 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
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
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
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
Vegan Store Launches Weekly Delivery Boxes for Veganuary
January 13, 2022
Vegan Store launches a new weekly delivery box for Veganuary
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Shawbirch Store Relaunched after Major Refit
December 09, 2020
Blakemore Retail relaunches its Shawbirch store in Telford after carrying out a major refit
A.F. Blakemore Launches New Commission Operator Store Model
October 01, 2020
A.F. Blakemore launches a brand-new commission operator SPAR store model
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
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 PANTS Day Raises £31,453
September 11, 2020
Blakemore Retail PANTS Weekend raises an incredible £31,453
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
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
A.F. Blakemore Acquires Online Vegan Store
August 13, 2020
A.F. Blakemore has purchased online wholesaler and retailer Vegan Store
Non-uniform Weekend Raises £25,000 for NSPCC
July 29, 2020
Blakemore Retail SPAR stores across England and Wales raise £25,000 for the NSPCC with a ‘Dress Up or Dress Down’ fundraising weekend
Philpotts Signs Up to Too Good to Go Food Waste App
July 24, 2020
Philpotts joins Blakemore Retail in signing up to the Too Good to Go food waste fighting app
Blakemore Retail Trials Self-service Checkouts
July 23, 2020
Blakemore Retail is trialling three card-only self-service checkouts at its Bannerbrook store
Blakemore Retail Invests in Delivery Vans to Meet Snappy Shopper Demand
June 25, 2020
Blakemore Retail invests in new delivery vans to keep up with demand for Snappy Shopper home deliveries
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
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
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
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
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
A.F. Blakemore Partners with Disability Sport Wales
February 03, 2020
A.F. Blakemore becomes the national community partner of Disability Sport Wales
A.F. Blakemore Trials Food Waste Fighting App
January 24, 2020
A.F. Blakemore is the latest convenience store retailer to trial the food waste fighting app Too Good to Go
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
New SPAR Store Launches at Roadchef Strensham South
March 23, 2018
Blakemore Trade Partners launches a new SPAR store offering premium food to go at Roadchef Strensham South Services in Worcestershire
Supplier Zone News
May 09, 2022
SPAR Own Label Expands for Summer BBQs
May 04, 2022
Blakemore Retail Opens New Purpose-Built SPAR in Spalding
April 22, 2022
SPAR Aberavon Relaunches with New and Improved Food to Go
View all Stories