Longtown has a brand-new SPAR store and Shell forecourt following a complete knockdown rebuild which has transformed the town’s offer.
Situated just three miles from the Scottish border in Cumbria on the busy A7/Bridge Street, the new site is a world apart from the old forecourt and kiosk store.
The SPAR store features a Graham Eyes butchers counter and adjacent multi-deck chilled fridge, and a Clayton Park Bakery serve over deli offering both hot and cold savoury and sweet lines. Two Cheeky Coffee machines are located next to this which also dispense iced coffee.
Iceland’s range is integrated into the SPAR store in the form of a double decked island freezer, and this complemented by a colourful fruit and vegetable range and extensive fresh food offer.
Traditional grocery products, a plentiful beers, wines, and spirits section, car care area, and cards and stationery complete the in-store offer.
The store’s range sits within an environment of sleek refrigeration, high ceilings, electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs), and LED lighting throughout which give the store vibrancy and a feel of modernity.
Outside, the forecourt in Shell livery has been totally overhauled with six brand new pumps offering standard Shell fuel and V-Power – a new addition – and a two pump AdBlue dispenser.
Two EV charge points, an air, water and vacuum machine, an ATM, and a Parcel Pending locker serviced by DPD, Royal Mail and UPS are also on site. There are 16 dedicated parking spaces for customers, two of which are designated disabled bays.
A lengthy queue of excited Longtown residents gathered ahead of opening with the first 50 customers receiving their tea for free. This was supported by a range of opening deals which included free coffee and half price meats from the butchers.
Opening the store were a trio of members from the Longtown Detachment of the Cumbria Army Cadet Force who have received a contribution from SPAR as part of wraparound support for the local community. This has also extended to Longtown Community Centre, Longtown Youth Cub, and Longtown Primary School.
The A7/Bridge Street site was acquired three years ago by James Hall & Co. Ltd from long-time local forecourt operators Alastair and Moyra Tuddenham, with the kiosk becoming a SPAR store as part of the deal.
As a result of the opening of the new Longtown store, James Hall & Co. Ltd’s second store in the town on Netherby Street has closed with the retail team transferred over to the new store.
Fiona Drummond, Company Stores Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to launch our new store and forecourt in Longtown, and it was lovely to receive such a warm welcome from the community.
“Longtown residents had long required an improved offer, and the new store will also support the significant passing trade between England and Scotland. It has taken the company a while to bring the vision to a reality, and that reality is light years from what was here before.”
Matthew Anson, Staff Sergeant at Longtown Detachment, said: “It is a massive privilege to have the support of SPAR. One of my goals is to make the detachment a pillar of the community in Longtown and build up links with local businesses and organisations.
“We are in the process of developing our outdoor facilities which will support the growth and development of Army Cadets and will also help the detachment with recruitment. The funding from SPAR will go a long way to achieving this so we are very grateful.”
Judith Fleming was the first customer through the door with her friend Brenda Sewell. She said: “I have watched it being built and could not wait to come down. I used to work at the garage in the 70s and 80s and I cannot believe the transformation. It is just what the town needed.
“It really is a marvellous store, and the prices are very good. With the range in the store, it will also save me a trip to Carlisle. There is such a big catchment around Longtown as well and I think it is amazing for the area.”
Edna Dickie said: “It is brilliant store. The butchers is fantastic and the store range has so much variety – much more than I was expecting. You can do a full shop now.
“We have been waiting for this, and it could not come quickly enough. Now it is here I think it is great for the town. It is very impressive.”
Shirley Johnston said: “I have lived in Longtown for 35 years and this is a wonderful development. I will be able to fill up the car and park to do my shop – it really is fantastic. It is good to see fruit and veg loose and the butchers looks incredible.
“I previously used the old store every couple of days and with the deli in here now too I think I will be in most days. My husband will love the Iceland section – the Greggs range is great, and his favourites are the steak bake and the chicken bake.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.
Comments are closed.