A brand-new SPAR store has opened within the walls of the former Fulwood police station in Preston marking a new chapter for the historic red brick building.
SPAR Sharoe Green in Watling Street Road opened its doors to an eager queue of customers who were keen to see the transformation that had taken place and the exciting new convenience store offer on their doorstep.
Located in the Fulwood Conservation Area, SPAR Sharoe Green mixes modern retail need with local heritage preservation and its opening by James Hall & Co. Ltd has given the building a new lease of life while creating 19 new jobs for local people.
During the redevelopment process, key original architectural features from 1869 have been retained and restored to look as good as new, and this work includes all windows, stone sills, and headers, along with the building’s three distinctive chimneys.
The feeling of vibrancy continues inside as fresh flowers and a superb range of colourful fruit and vegetables greet customers as they first walk through the doors, with a Cheeky Coffee machine and Clayton Park Bakery hot food unit immediately to the left alongside freshly baked bread.
A large area of the store has been dedicated to Worldwide Foodstores products, including frozen lines, which sit next to a strong section of other frozen foods under the Iceland brand.
Elsewhere in store is Food To Go as part of the SPAR Meal Deal, a good selection of chilled drinks, fresh food, grocery and household items, and big brand products at competitive prices.
SPAR Sharoe Green also features a doorless air chilled beers, ciders, and wine room, with spirits available behind the counter.
The Mayor of Preston Cllr Sue Whittam was on hand to open the store alongside Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s mascot Deepdale Duck as the charity has partnered with SPAR Sharoe Green.
Ahead of the launch, SPAR Sharoe Green ran a competition for nearby Kennington Primary School children to design a SPAR tote bag which is on sale in the store. Fifty of the bags were also handed out to the first customers through the door with a range of SPAR products inside.
Kennington Primary’s School Council were invited down to attend the launch alongside other dignitaries including the Imam of Masjid-e-Salaam Preston and Directors of James Hall & Co. Ltd.
Externally there is a customer parking, an EV charge point, an ATM, and a defibrillator which has been installed to the delight of the Preston Community First Responders and North West Ambulance Service.
Lisa Allen, a local Community First Responder from Fulwood, attended the launch. She said: “It is brilliant that the people at James Hall agreed with me in recognising the importance of improving access to lifesaving equipment.
“It was the perfect opportunity for the SPAR as a new community asset to have a Community Public Access Defibrillator installed from day one, so I am very pleased to see that has happened, and it is a great new store with a good range of items on offer.”
Zahraa Panchbhaya was one of the first customers through the doors. She said: “I am really impressed the character of the old building has been retained. I will be in often to pick up essentials when dropping my children off at school or passing to visit family.
“There is everything you need from fresh ingredients to make a meal through to children’s toys. The Halal section is good, and I really like the Iceland frozen foods.”
Charlotte Law, another of the early customers, said: “My first impression is that it is a fantastic store, and it is right on my doorstep. It will be so handy for shopping going forward and the store team are so friendly and welcoming.
“The prices are very good and there is great range. I love the visibility across the store as soon as you walk in – you can see where everything is. I also like the small touches with the history, and the imagery of Preston locations around the top of the fridges and shelves.”
Arif Hussaini, who runs Fulwood Barbers across the road, said: “It looks absolutely mint both inside and outside. A very good job has been made with the building.
“I will be in every day for my dinner and essentials like bread and milk. I think the store will do well and it is good for the community. There are lots of businesses and houses around here, and there are the hospital and the college nearby as well.”
“Fiona Drummond, Company Stores Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “SPAR stores are at the heart of the communities that they serve, and we have taken care to sensitively preserve the heritage of Fulwood’s old police station for the community with our exceptional new Sharoe Green store.
“I was delighted to hear customer feedback on the day covering our preservation work, as well as the range, value, and promotions in store. It is a pleasure to breathe new life into this cherished red brick building more than 150 years after it was originally built.”
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.
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