Chester-le-Street SPAR reopens after two-month refurb

The extensive refit has been two months in the making, and new additions to the store include a Clayton Park Bakery hot Food To Go unit that is stacked with snacks and meals.

An enhanced range of great value refreshment options are also major new store features, and these include a popular Fanta Frozen machine and a Cheeky Coffee offer.

During the two-month refit, the SPAR store also had a change of ownership following the retirement of longstanding independent retailer Gary Maddison.

James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR UK’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the North of England, is the new owner of the store.

SPAR Mendip Avenue has served the community in Chester-le-Street for almost 20 years, and Gary returned to cut the ribbon to reopen the store alongside Cllr Paul Sexton. They were joined by Dominic Hall and Fiona Drummond, Joint Managing Director and Company Stores Director, respectively, at James Hall & Co. Ltd.

The local community congregated for the reopening to see the changes. The first 50 customers through the doors received ‘Tonight’s Tea for Free’ and residents queueing to get in the store were holding their ‘£5 off a £15 shop’ SPAR money-off coupons.

Trevor, a local resident visiting the SPAR store on relaunch day,  said: “I live behind the SPAR and the store is much better after the improvements with a lot more range. I think the hot food counter and the new coffee machine will do very well. I will use it regularly as I know the staff.”

Adam, a local resident, said: “I shopped at the store before and the changes that have been made are great. It’s a good layout and is much brighter. I’ll be making use of the new features and I’m looking forward to shopping here again now it has reopened.”

There is also a designated area in-store for donating items for one of the local foodbanks operating in Chester-le-Street.