New SPAR opens at centre of Frome housing development

A new SPAR store has opened at the centre of a major new housing development on a former printworks site in the market town of Frome, Somerset.

In partnership with Appleby Westward, the south west-based SPAR retailer and food wholesaler, convenience store operator Late Stop took the largest commercial unit on the site where over 150 homes are being developed. A Papa John’s pizza outlet has also been opened alongside the SPAR.

The store was officially opened by Philip Campagna, deputy Mayor of Frome, who said the SPAR would provide a much-needed convenience service to the area. The store represents the ninth such venture between Late Stop and Appleby Westward.

“The store looks awesome both internally and externally, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported this project over the last few months in preparation,” said Steve Thomas, Head of Independents for Appleby Westward. “Our partnership with Late Stop is going from strength to strength and we are currently working with them on three other store development projects this year in Plymouth, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare.

Late Stop director Greg Gardner said: “We are delighted to become a part of this exciting development and look forward to providing local residents with a quality and reliable top-up shopping facility that includes a free-to-use ATM, fresh and frozen groceries, Paypoint, Lottery, Costa coffee and an in-store bakery.”

Established 12 years ago, Weston-super-Mare-based Late Stop was operating a handful of Costcutter stores in the south west, but decided to partner with another symbol group when an option came up to open a new store in Shaftesbury in 2018. Working with Appleby Westward, other SPAR stores have followed in Bath, Bournemouth, Bristol, Calne, Charfield, Salisbury and Taunton.