Car dealer couple venture into convenience with new SPAR store and forecourt

Car dealership owners Duncan and Lisa Betts have opened last month a brand new SPAR store and forecourt in the Nottinghamshire village of Lowdham.

The husband and wife team was supported by Blakemore Trade Partners in their entry into convenience retailing after operating a car dealership in the village for nearly 20 years.

The couple have invested a total of £300,000 into the project, which includes co-investment of £60,000 from Blakemore Trade Partners.

“We have worked in this area for 20 years and we knew there was a great opportunity for convenience. We always had a kiosk and a forecourt on the site but we were really keen to create something special,” Duncan Betts said.

“We have been impressed with SPAR and met with Blakemore Trade Partners to discuss the opportunity. SPAR is a well-known trusted brand and has a fantastic range of bespoke and everyday products. We are thrilled to see all our plans delivered and through a pandemic! It has been a total leap of faith but we are very confident of the future.”

The store was developed on the site of their dealership business, converting the old workshop into their dealership showroom and the old showroom into a 2,000 sq ft SPAR store with a Gulf branded forecourt. The project took only five weeks to complete starting in early October.

“Lowdham is an affluent village and there is a big demand for quality fresh produce. Our SPAR store and forecourt is in a great position to supply both core range and high-end products to serve the need of all our customers,” Duncan added.

The store includes a brand new County Bridge fresh meat range and extensive selection of chilled meals together with a bespoke licensed section. Daily Deli, Costa Coffee together with f’real milkshakes have been added.

The couple plans to open a 1,500 sq ft Insomnia coffee shop in 12 months’ time inclusive of an off and on licence. The home delivery app Snappy Shopper is also available to local customers.

The refit was undertaken by Blakemore Design & Shopfitting and included a massive electrical upgrade.

The site includes a large parking area with 20 parking spaces and a community space for hire, something which is currently missing from the local area.

“When things get back to normal, we hope the store will become a local hub with plentiful car parking, in order for our customers to linger and use the facilities without car parking pressure,” Duncan said.

On the fuel side,  four new pumps added together with Gulf branding, alongside air, water facilities. Electric charging is being considered for the future.

“Since opening on 3rd November, there has been a great reaction from shoppers,” said Oliver Walters, business development manager at Blakemore Trade Partners.

Walters said they adopt a store cluster strategy which is aimed at helping retailers differentiate their stores for different locations and markets, building on customer insight.

“Together with the new SPAR store and Gulf forecourt, social media advertising and the contacts Duncan and Lisa have acquired over the years from their dealership, we have no doubt this is going to be a huge success for them,” he said.

“The first two weeks of trading have been great. Lisa and Duncan are very brave to embark on this new project – especially during a pandemic, and we look forward to supporting them every step of the way.”

SPAR Lowdham now employs eight people and is open seven days a week from 07:00-22:00.