Supplier Zone News

SPAR Meets Surge in Supply Demand

March 20, 2020

Thousands of SPAR stores around the UK are meeting exceptional customer demand by maintaining a high level of stock availability and service throughout the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic

Colleagues Praised for Outstanding Service in Coronavirus Crisis

March 19, 2020

Customers and SPAR retailers thank AFB colleagues for their commitment to outstanding customer service during the coronavirus outbreak

Blakemore SPARs Shortlisted for Four Convenience Awards

March 12, 2020

Four independent and company-owned SPAR stores make the shortlist for the 2020 Convenience Awards

A.F. Blakemore Celebrates Random Acts of Kindness Week

March 04, 2020

A.F. Blakemore celebrates its first Random Acts of Kindness Week with colleagues across the business

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

James Russell Cycles Cambodia for Charity

March 02, 2020

Blakemore Wholesale Distribution Managing Director James Russell cycles more than 500km through Cambodia for charity

A.F. Blakemore Welcomes Welsh Businesses on Study Tour

March 02, 2020

A.F. Blakemore welcomes 20 Welsh businesses on a depot tour of Willenhall to introduce them to the company

A.F. Blakemore Supplier Event Attracts Record Number of Attendees

February 24, 2020

A.F. Blakemore welcomes more than 300 attendees to its annual Supplier Conference

A.F. Blakemore Partners with Disability Sport Wales

February 03, 2020

A.F. Blakemore becomes the National Community Partner of Disability Sport Wales

2020 Starts with a Bang for SPAR UK

January 30, 2020

2020 starts with a bang for SPAR UK, with like-for-like Christmas retail sales up by 2.6% over the four weeks to 29 December 2019

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

New Year, New Company Values

January 09, 2020

A.F. Blakemore is re-launching its company values: The Blakemore Way

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

Blakemore Foodservice Announces Contract with SOHO Coffee Co.

January 08, 2020

Blakemore Foodservice announces a three-year contract to supply SOHO Coffee Co.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

Blakemore Retail Launches New SPAR at Burntwood

August 05, 2019

Blakemore Retail opens a brand new SPAR convenience store in Burntwood, Staffordshire

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 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

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

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

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

Blakemore Logistics Purchases New Econic Vehicles

May 07, 2019

Blakemore Logistics has demonstrated its commitment to road safety with the purchase of two Mercedes-Benz Econic vehicles

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 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 Strengthens Ties with Suppliers

April 16, 2019

Blakemore Foodservice has called upon its supplier base to work more collaboratively with the business as it seeks to maximise exciting new opportunities across the sector

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coming Soon: New AFB Invoicing Portal

January 15, 2019

A.F. Blakemore partners with TrueCommerce to deliver a bespoke supplier invoicing portal

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

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

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

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

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

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’

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

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’

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

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 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

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

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

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

Blakemore Foodservice Showcases Latest Offer at West Midlands Trade Show

May 01, 2018

Blakemore Foodservice exhibits its latest offering to customers at a trade show in the West Midlands

SPAR Thurcroft Re-launches at New Site

April 20, 2018

Blakemore Retail’s Thurcroft SPAR store in Rotherham relaunches with a brand new Greggs

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

Blakemore Trade Partners and Fine Foods Launch New Apps

March 01, 2018

Blakemore Trade Partners and Blakemore Fine Foods launch new mobile apps to give their customers the ease of ordering on the go

SPAR Announced as National Partner for IAAF World Indoor Championships

February 27, 2018

SPAR is announced as a National Partner for the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018

A.F. Blakemore Honoured at Apprenticeship Awards

February 21, 2018

A.F. Blakemore is crowned Employer of the Year at the Performance Through People Achievement Awards

A.F. Blakemore Spreads the Word on Responsible Business

February 15, 2018

More than 30 business leaders, council heads and community organisations from across Walsall join together to investigate collaborative ways to address key challenges across the borough

Inside Eat 17’s Latest Store at Bishop’s Stortford

January 31, 2018

A.F. Blakemore and entrepreneurial business partners James Brundle and Chris O’Connor opened their latest Eat 17 store in the Hertfordshire town of Bishop’s Stortford in November

British Athletics Unveil SPAR as Major Sponsor through to Tokyo 2020

January 18, 2018

British Athletics announce a three-year sponsorship deal with SPAR (UK) Ltd that will see the UK’s leading convenience store group offer wide-ranging support through to the end of 2020

Worcestershire SPAR Stores Donate £15,000 Worth of Goods to Collection Appeals

December 20, 2017

Colleagues from Blakemore Retail collect more than £15,000 worth of goods for the homeless and vulnerable children

A.F. Blakemore Awards 12 Good Causes £1,917 Heritage Grants

December 20, 2017

A.F. Blakemore has concluded its centenary year by awarding 12 good causes a grant of £1,917 through its charitable trust, the Blakemore Foundation

A.F. Blakemore to Launch New Supplier Invoicing Portal

November 15, 2017

A.F. Blakemore is set to launch a bespoke new supplier invoicing portal

A.F. Blakemore Celebrates Equality, Inclusion and Diversity

October 25, 2017

A.F. Blakemore hosts an Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Week as part of a series of commemorative events to celebrate 100 years in business

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd Reports Solid Results for 2016/17

October 18, 2017

A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd Chairman Peter Blakemore has described a “good, solid result” for the 2016/17 financial year during a period of intense change across the food retail and wholesale markets

100th Anniversary Charity Birthday Party Raises £86,000 for Good Causes

September 29, 2017

On September 1st, colleagues across England and Wales took part in 300 celebratory events at stores and depots across the company’s trading area

Blakemore Heritage