SPAR stores join Coastal Clean-up initiative

This summer, SPAR stores along UK coastlines are organising and taking part in community coastal clean-ups as part of the Million Mile Clean initiative.

Collaborating with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), an environmental marine company who organise coastal clean ups, the Million Mile Clean is an initiative that brings communities together and cleans several miles of the coast.

SPAR stores started taking part in the Coastal Clean-up initiative in June for World Ocean Day and will continue taking part in clean ups into the summer months.

Seven coastal beach locations have already had a coastal clean-up including Seaton Carew in County Durham, Southsea beach in Portsmouth plus Ballycastle Beach, Kilkeel Beach, Newcastle Beach, Killyleagh and Kircubbin in Northern Ireland.

SPAR provides stores with the opportunity to participate in the Million Mile Clean and organisers SAS provide all the tools and kits to conduct the initiative. These kits include rubble sacks, gloves and first aid kits for up to 30 volunteers.

“We have arranged with Surfers Against Sewage that SPAR stores can sign up to participate in the Million Mile Clean. This is an initiative that involves bringing our communities together as well helping the environment," said Suzanne Dover, SPAR UK's Brand and Marketing Director.

“We are delighted to see eleven SPAR stores already getting behind this initiative and helping to clean up their local beaches. It has made an enormous difference to local communities.”

SPAR Seaton Crew in Durham, which is owned and serviced by SPAR’s wholesaler James Hall & Co. Ltd, took a number of colleagues with two members of the community out and cleaned Seaton Carew beach in early June.

said Fiona Drummond, Company Stores Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd. "An important part of a community is its assets and the Coastal Clean-up provided our staff in Seaton Carew with a fantastic opportunity to look after the jewel in its crown which is the town's beach," said Fiona Drummond, Company Stores Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd.

"SPAR stores are part of the fabric of their communities and we were delighted that members of the public joined the store team for the clean-up to improve the beach for all who use it."