Formby’s much-loved Harington Road SPAR store has reopened its doors to an excited community following an extensive refurbishment.
After four months in the making, local residents gathered with anticipation on a bright and cold December day for James Hall & Co. Ltd’s penultimate company-owned store launch of 2022.
The Mayor of Sefton Cllr Clare Carragher joined James Hall & Co. Ltd’s Deputy Managing Director Dominic Hall and Company Stores Director Fiona Drummond to reopen the SPAR store that has served the community in that area of Formby for 55 years.
The last 10 of those years have been under the ownership of James Hall & Co. Ltd, with its history rooted in nearby Southport. The newly refurbished store features a number of James Hall services, such as the Graham Eyes butchers counter, Clayton Park Deli, and a Cheeky Coffee offer.
Harington Road’s SPAR has had a complete refit within its existing footprint plus a 900 sq. ft. extension into the adjacent unit next door, making the store a third bigger and taking the total size of its footprint to 2,700 sq. ft.
Residents were visibly impressed with the look, feel and range in the revamped store, which also includes a comprehensive choice of fresh foods, Food To Go, and major branded products, as well as beers and spirits, and an extended variety of premium wines.
A Christmas Fair complemented the store launch with a choir performance, facepainting, a raffle, stalls, mince pies and mulled wine. Locals also had the opportunity to have a photo with the SPAR mascot while proceeds from the raffle will go to Marie Curie, SPAR UK’s national charity partner.
Fiona Drummond said: “A lot of hard work from departments right across the company has gone into the improvement of our Harington Road store and the transformation inside truly is amazing.
“We knew that Harington Road is treasured by the community in Formby, and it was fantastic to receive such a rapturous reception from residents on the launch day.
“The SPAR in Harington Road is into its sixth decade of supporting locals in that area of the town, and it is now set up to be part of the fabric of that community for many more years to come.”
Peter Brooks, who has lived in Formby for 50 years, said: “It’s a brilliant store and it really completes the row of units. I’m made up that it is back. James Hall have turned it into something to be proud of, and I think the best bit of it is that all the local staff have been retained.
“The extension is seamless inside and the new butchers is great – Graham Eyes has a super reputation in Southport. I only came out for bread, and I’m going home with pasties, sausages and a chocolate orange!”
Mavis James, another Formby resident of 50 years, said: “I just knew this store was going to exceed everybody’s expectations once completed. The Hall family really do know how to provide an excellent SPAR store.
“The changes are fantastic, and this store will do really well. I’ve known Julie the Store Manager for many years, and she is amazing at her job. Congratulations to everyone involved in the process.”
Mark Skelton, who lives across the road, said: “I used to shop here for the Clayton Park vanilla slices alone, and the new deli is a great addition. The display of the butchers is impressive too, and the Graham Eyes name carries a premium.
“You could not have done a full shop in the old SPAR, but you can in this one now with meat, fruit, vegetables, ready meals and beers and wines. This is a vital store, and it supports the whole area.”
In line with SPAR’s brand pillars of Nurturing Our Neighbourhoods and Passionate About Local, the local community in Formby has been supported ahead of the launch.
SPAR has agreed to sponsor the Formby Community Under-7s football kit and contribute raffle prizes to Autism Initiatives situated next door to boost the charity’s Christmas fundraiser.
SPAR Harington Road’s opening hours are 7am-10pm seven days a week, and customers are welcome to visit the store and pick up a free Cheeky Coffee voucher, valid for two weeks from opening date, while vouchers last.
James Hall & Co. Ltd 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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