Independent retailer opens new Spar Market store in Essex

The Visana family have traded for nearly forty years in Clavering village and have been at the 4,000sq ft site since it was purpose built in 1992.

Officially opened on Saturday 22 October, the Clavering store is new to the Spar symbol group.

Supported by Spar wholesaler, Blakemore Trade Partners, the total investment into the refurbishment and transformation of Spar Market Clavering was £250,000.

In recent weeks, the store has undergone a huge transformation including brand new eco chillers and pack system. The chilled capacity has been increased by 50% and it has a new food-to-go section, as well as instore prepared sandwiches and a bakery section with an added hot food offer catering to a wider audience and the right range for different points in the day.

Customers can choose their own loose chocolates from a serve over at the till section, treat themselves to a COOK frozen ready meal or cook from scratch with Blakemore Trade Partners own exclusive ‘County Bridge’ butchery range.

The major change has been to upgrade the store to the Spar Market format. Today it offers an increased fresh offering, working closer with local suppliers and offering more diverse ranges and a comprehensive food to go offering. Loose fruit and veg are also an addition to reduce plastic consumption.

The Spar Market store format is suitable for stores with shop floor space of more than 2,000sqft and targets shoppers with higher basket spends.

Spar Market stores offer more fresh foods, a greater range of products including premium BWS and frozen ranges and focus on supporting local ranges. Stores can also offer cafés, butchers, delicatessens, and premium food-to-go counters.

The store’s full range of services includes a fresh offering, a Tango Ice Blast, Dunkin Donuts, Main Post Office, vaping section, and a large car park attracts shoppers from several villages.

Muru Visana said: “I was very impressed with the Spar Market proposition, and I immediately knew it would push our store to new heights. It was great that Blakemore Trade Partners could not only plan the store but execute it with Blakemore Design and Shopfitting.

Stuart Ware, New Business Manager at Blakemore Trade Partners, said: “We are delighted to partner with Muru and welcome his family and team into Spar. Muru had a vision to improve his store offering and we worked as a partnership to bring all the ideas to life. To switch symbol group after so many years and make a major investment at the same time is a brave decision, but one that we fully supported.

“We are busy planning Muru’s second store with his brother, Dilip Visana, and bringing his store in Kedington into the Spar family.”