Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

A.F. Blakemore helps 108 colleagues gain new LGV driving licence

A.F. Blakemore helps 108 colleagues gain new LGV driving licence

A.F. Blakemore & Son’s driver training programmes have enabled 108 colleagues to gain a new LGV driving licence in the past 12 months, completely free of charge.

As a result of embarking on LGV driver training with the company, 77 colleagues have gained a Class 1 licence and 31 have gained a Class 2 licence.


A.F. Blakemore has covered all training costs and fees. A further 34 people are currently on a driver training programme with the business.

With an ongoing commitment to colleague learning and development, A.F. Blakemore launched its first LGV driver training programme in 2008.

Today the business runs two driver training programmes that enable both employees and prospective employees with no prior LGV driving experience to train as Class 1 or 2 drivers. Class 1 upgrades are available for A.F. Blakemore colleagues with six months of service.

“The driver shortage in the UK is one of the biggest challenges facing the logistics sector," said A.F. Blakemore Logistics Compliance Manager Dave Higgs. “As a business we have been doing our best to step up to the challenge by adjusting our recruitment processes, reviewing driver pay and benefits and investing in driver training.

“Our training programmes offer both existing colleagues and new recruits a fantastic opportunity to progress their careers at the same time as ensuring a pipeline of qualified drivers to help the business remain profitable and sustainable for the long term.”

Over the past 18 months, A.F. Blakemore has invested circa £250,000 in driver training.

In the past 12 months alone, 78 new recruits have been taken on by the company specifically for driver training.

Driver training opportunities have been made available across A.F. Blakemore’s distribution depots in the West Midlands, South Wales, Bedford and Wakefield.

More for you

Brits divided on acceptability of shoplifting,YouGov Poll

Brits divided on acceptability of shoplifting.

iStock image

Brits divided on acceptability of shoplifting amid rising retail crime

Some Brits believe that shoplifting can be acceptable, states a recent report, despite the country experiencing an epidemic of store thefts.

According to a recent YouGov poll of 2,150 adults, 40 per cent of the public agreed that shoplifting food was sometimes acceptable if a person could not afford the goods. More than half of those asked (51 per cent) said it was never acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less
Footfall increased in January 2025.

Footfall increased in January 2025.

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Footfall increased in January as shoppers head to stores: BRC

Shopper footfall received a welcome boost as many consumers hit the January sales in their local community, shows recent data, bringing a welcome news for high streets following a particularly difficult Golden Quarter to end 2024.

According to BRC-Sensormatic data released today (7), total UK footfall increased by 6.6 per cent in January (YoY), up from -2.2 per cent in December.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed launches at SPAR Derwent in Keswick

New Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed launches at SPAR Derwent in Keswick

SPAR Derwent shakes things up with new Milk Shed

SPAR Derwent in Keswick has become the latest store to introduce an Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed, bringing fresh whole milk and delicious flavoured milkshakes to the local community.

The new Milk Shed follows successful launches at Ann Forshaw’s Alston Dairy and SPAR stores in Burnley and Milnthorpe.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR Cavehill celebrates former owner’s 70th birthday

SPAR Cavehill raised funds for Community Fire & Rescue Service as part of former owner’s 70th birthday celebrations

SPAR Cavehill celebrates former owner’s 70th birthday with charity fundraiser

Belfast’s SPAR Cavehill closed out 2024 with a heartwarming community celebration, marking the 70th birthday of former store owner Norman Porter while raising £800 for two local charities.

The event, organised by the store’s current owners, Frank Quigley and Norman’s daughter, Jenny Reilly, brought together staff, customers, and local residents to celebrate the milestone birthday and support SPAR’s charity partner, Marie Curie, as well as the Community Fire & Rescue Service.

Keep ReadingShow less
IQOS heat-not-burn device and a Marlboro cigarette pack

IQOS heat-not-burn device and a Marlboro cigarette pack

REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Illustration/File Photo

PMI projects up to 12.5 per cent profit growth for 2025 amid strong smoke-free expansion

Philip Morris International (PMI) has forecast an increase of up to 12.5 per cent in adjusted diluted EPS for 2025, following a strong financial performance in 2024, driven by the continued expansion of its smoke-free product portfolio.

The company delivered a reported diluted EPS of $4.52 (£3.63), or $6.01 before a Canada non-cash impairment of $1.49, compared to $5.02 in 2023. Adjusted diluted EPS reached $6.57, representing growth of 9.3 per cent, and 15.6 per cent on a currency-neutral basis.

Keep ReadingShow less