Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

New SPAR opens at centre of Frome housing development

New SPAR opens at centre of Frome housing development

A new SPAR store has opened at the centre of a major new housing development on a former printworks site in the market town of Frome, Somerset.

In partnership with Appleby Westward, the south west-based SPAR retailer and food wholesaler, convenience store operator Late Stop took the largest commercial unit on the site where over 150 homes are being developed. A Papa John’s pizza outlet has also been opened alongside the SPAR.


The store was officially opened by Philip Campagna, deputy Mayor of Frome, who said the SPAR would provide a much-needed convenience service to the area. The store represents the ninth such venture between Late Stop and Appleby Westward.

Fromestore1

“The store looks awesome both internally and externally, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported this project over the last few months in preparation," said Steve Thomas, Head of Independents for Appleby Westward. "Our partnership with Late Stop is going from strength to strength and we are currently working with them on three other store development projects this year in Plymouth, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare.

Late Stop director Greg Gardner said: “We are delighted to become a part of this exciting development and look forward to providing local residents with a quality and reliable top-up shopping facility that includes a free-to-use ATM, fresh and frozen groceries, Paypoint, Lottery, Costa coffee and an in-store bakery.”

Established 12 years ago, Weston-super-Mare-based Late Stop was operating a handful of Costcutter stores in the south west, but decided to partner with another symbol group when an option came up to open a new store in Shaftesbury in 2018. Working with Appleby Westward, other SPAR stores have followed in Bath, Bournemouth, Bristol, Calne, Charfield, Salisbury and Taunton.

More for you

Illegal vape seizures in Essex surge by 14,000%, highlighting the growing black market and calls for stricter regulations

Essex sees shocking 14,000 per cent surge in illegal vape seizures

Essex has seen a staggering rise of over 14,000 per cent in illegal vape seizures in the past 12 months, a new report has revealed.

The shocking figures place the county just behind the London Borough of Hillingdon for total seizures - which leading industry expert, Ben Johnson, Founder of Riot Labs, attributes to its proximity to Heathrow airport.

Keep ReadingShow less
long-term effects of vaping on children UK study
Photo: iStock

Vaping: Government begins decade-long child health study

Britain will investigate the long-term effects of vaping on children as young as eight in a decade-long study of their health and behaviour, the government said on Wednesday.

The government has been cracking down on the rapid rise of vaping among children, with estimates showing a quarter of 11- to 15-year-olds have tried it out.

Keep ReadingShow less
United Wholesale Dominates 2025 Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards

Scottish Wholesale Association

Scottish wholesalers celebrated at annual awards

United Wholesale, JW Filshill and CJ Lang & Sons emerged as the stars of Scotland wholesale world in the recently held annual Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards.

Achievers, now in its 22nd year and organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association, recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry and the achievements that have made a difference to individuals, communities and businesses over the last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Self-checkout tills at UK grocery store

Self-checkout at grocery store

iStock image

Debate heats up as community group calls to boycott self-checkouts

While a community group recently criticised self-service checkouts, saying automation lacks the "feel good factor", retailers maintain that rise in the trend is a response to changing consumer behaviour and the need of the hour.

Taking aim at self-checkouts in stores, Bridgwater Senior Citizens' Forum recently stated that such automation is replacing workers and damaging customer service.

Keep ReadingShow less