the magazine for blakemore retail …...issue 6 winter 2016/17the magazine for blakemore retail...

I S S U E 6 W i n t e r 2 0 1 6 / 1 7

THE MAGAZINE FOR BLAKEMORE RETAIL EMPLOYEES

IT ’S YOUR NEWS

New Forecourt StoreOpens in Laceby

Blakemore Retail StrikeGold at Grocer Awards

Store of ExcellenceWinners Announced

Five Wins at 2016Retail Industry Awards

Winter 2016/17 Winter 2016/17

Introduct ion News

2 3

ContentsIntroduction - Stuart Adkin .......................2

News...........................................................3-6

Awards........................................................7-9

Stores in Focus ...........................................11

Your Development Programme..............12

Post Office Update....................................13

NSPCC Fundraising-...........................16-23

Blakemore Foundation- .....................24-26

Training.........................................................27

Blakemore in the Community..........28-29

Store of Excellence .............................30-31

Shop and Win .............................................32

Social Media..........................................34-35

In the Spotlight ....................................36-37

Customer Care Awards...........................38

Long Service Awards ..........................40-51

Staff Lottery .........................................52-53

Celebrations.........................................54-55

Send Us Your StoriesIt’s Your News is written by A.F. Blakemore’sCorporate Affairs department. If you have any stories or photos that youwould like to see featured in the next edition,please contact: Clare Knowles Corporate Affairs [email protected] 568 2908

IntroductionHello and welcome to thelatest edition of BlakemoreRetail it’s Your News. There is no doubt that with thechallenges we have seen over the pastfew years everyone has had to play a keypart in ensuring that we put ourselves inthe best possible place to be able tocompete. You will find many examples ofwhat has been happening in this edition ofour magazine, from the launch of our newforecourt, including our first in-storeserved coffee restaurant, INSOMNIA, tothe purchase of seven ex My Local stores,whilst maintaining focus on our fresh andfoodservice departments.

In fact fresh and food service has becomeso important to us as a business that werecently appointed Matt Teague to theBoard as Fresh and FoodserviceDevelopment Director. Matt, along withhis team has been instrumental in thedevelopment of Daily Deli, Subway,Greggs and Insomnia as well as havinginput into the chilled and producedepartments. Matt’s appointment willreally add focus to such a key area andI’m sure you will all join me incongratulating him on his promotion.

Another developing area for us is digitaland social media, with the support ofSPAR UK (Shop and Win, SPAR websiteand store locator), Sarah, Caroline, Ed andher team (store and Post OfficeFacebook sites), and Sarah Ellis and herteam (Cardlytics, MoreSPAR, In-storeWIFI). This is an area we are only juststarting to understand, so look out formany more trials and initiatives.

However, I believe the most importantfeatures, are the ones about you withmany pages of awards and recognition.Staff and colleagues who have won tripsto the SPAR conference in San Diego,won industry awards, raised hugeamounts of money for the NSPCC, takenpart in community work and completednumerous training programs like the YourDevelopment Programme. It is because ofyour commitment and hard work thatBlakemore Retail really does punch aboveits weight within the industry, somethingregularly recognized by key organizationslike the IGD, CTP, The Grocer, as well asmany of our partners such as, SUBWAY,The Post Office, Greggs, BP, Shell,Camelot, NSPCC and many others.

As a family owned business A.F.Blakemore invests 98% of the profits backinto the business, this allows us to take a

much longer term view of how and whatwe invest in, whilst there is no doubt thishas helped us over the yearsunfortunately the challenges are not goingaway. For example The National LivingWage, an excellent strategy but hugelyimpactful on a business like ours and theApprenticeship Levy, again a great ideabut has a huge impact on industries likeours. And last but not least Brexit. If yousupport in or out it doesn’t matteranymore, the fact is we must make itwork. Unfortunately inflation anduncertainty will come over the next fewyears, added to this are cigarettes andtobacco plain packaging, sugar tax, morecontrol on alcohol- the list is endless.

As always, this is where the wholeBlakemore Retail team comes in, withsupport from AFB and SPAR UK. We willalways find ways to succeed, there will besome difficult decisions and lots of hardwork but with your support andcommitment I know we will achieve whatwe need to do.

Finally, as this is my first introduction tothe magazine as Managing Director I feelit is only right to thank the many peoplewho have had a large impact on mycareer with Blakemore Retail; to PeterBlakemore and ex SPAR Sales and GroupBoard Director Elwyn Davies, who hadthe original foresight to start a companyowned division of stores nearly 27 yearsago, to Geoff Hallam for all his supportand guidance and not forgetting, all thepeople who make everything happenevery day, some of you who I have knownfor a long time, because without all ofyou, Blakemore Retail wouldn’t be half assuccessful as it is.

Blakemore Retail Managing Director,

Stuart Adkin

In this edition of It’s Your News, Store Operations Director Chris Bacon discusses the recentchanges to the store operations team and provides an update on two key areas of focus:

The last year has seen significant changein the structure of the store operationsteam. Following John Brooks’ retirementin February, we took the opportunity tocomplete a review of the regions withparticular attention being made to thegeographical make up.

Following this review, it was felt that weshould move from four regions to five toenable Regional and Area Managers tohave a greater focus on the storedevelopment and control within theirrespective regions and areas.

With the retirement of John, we now hadtwo Regional Manager vacancies to filland following an intensive application andinterview process Ruth Mutton wasappointed Regional Manager in the Eastand Gareth James was appointed RegionalManager of the fifth and new region, theMidlands. Both Ruth and Gareth werecandidates on the inaugural BlakemoreRetail Future Leaders programme.Another bonus from their appointmentwas reducing the average age of theRegional Manager team from 59 to 49!

We also took the opportunity at thistime to recognise the long termachievements of Owen Davies byappointing him Senior Regional Manager.As part of his new role, Owen will takeon additional companywide

responsibilities, one currently being theimprovement of leakage results.

This now means, geographically theregions are smaller, less travel time, moretime in stores and now each RegionalManager has four Area Managers andaround 60 stores, enabling them to bemuch more focussed on the developmentof their store teams as well as being ingreater control of costs.

The Regions are now:

West –Owen Davies

South West –Mark Podmore

East –Ruth Mutton

South East –Brian Cherry

Midlands – Gareth James

Two of the main focus points in ourregions currently are:

People Development:Following on from the work done lastyear in the South West, each regiontogether with Training and HR hascompleted a Your DevelopmentProgramme (YDP) assessment day.Candidates were invited to attend a day

packed with tasks, activities, group andindividual work. Following this, successfulcandidates were offered a place on theYDP programme. This has proved hugelysuccessful and will become an annualevent. In addition, we continue to recruitfor this position and we currently havemore than 40 potential Store Managers/Assistant Managers on this programme.

Cost Controls:

Controlling our costs, in particular waste,overrides and wages is vital to oursuccess. All our store and regional teamsrecognise this and are extremely focussedon this at the same time as recognisingthe need for good availability of productand correct staffing levels.

The Regional Managers take part in aweekly conference call each Monday withDirectors - where the previous weeksresults are discussed along with any issuescausing waste and remedial actions takenwhere necessary.

This has proved really successful withsignificant savings so far. Our results toperiod 6 have shown some excellentsavings that has put us in a very strongposition to achieve our budget this year.

Store Operations Update

Store Operations Director Chris Bacon

(L-R) Regional Managers Owen Davies, Mark Podmore, Ruth Mutton, Gareth James and Brian Cherry


News News

4 5

Blakemore Retail has opened a brand new £3m flagship petrol forecourt alongside a Greggs,Subway and an INSOMNIA coffee shop on the Laceby Crossroads in Grimsby.

The 2,850 sq ft store, which occupies thesite of a former Little Chef, was officiallyopened by Deputy Mayor of North EastLincolnshire, Councillor Ron Shepherd onSaturday 13th August.

In addition to a wide range of everydayessentials, the SPAR offers acomprehensive hot and cold food-to-gorange and fresh self-serve Costa Coffee.

The store also has in-store Greggs andSubway counters; along with premiumIrish coffee shop brand INSOMNIAproviding customers with a one-stopconvenience, restaurant and takeawaysolution.

Laceby is the first Blakemore Retail storeto open Irish coffee shop chainINSOMNIA.

Managing Director Stuart Adkincommented:

“The site represents aflagship innovation by

Blakemore Retailbringing employment to45 local residents and will

bring a number ofservices to the areaincluding a modernconvenience store,

forecourt, Subway, Greggsand a brand new coffee

concept called Insomnia.”

New Forecourt StoreOpens in Laceby

Blakemore Retail Wins Best IndependentRetail Chain at The Grocer Gold AwardsBlakemore Retail has won the highly coveted title of ‘Best Independent Retail Chain’ at theGrocer Gold Awards.

Blakemore Retail has enjoyed hugesuccess over the past year, adding threenew stores and 16 Subway franchises toits estate and becoming the firstconvenience retailer to partner withGreggs.

Since their launch in 2003, the GrocerGold Awards have grown to become themost prestigious awards in the food anddrink industry, recognising the very beststandards in grocery retail.

Group Director Geoff Hallamcommented:

“This is a great achievement forBlakemore Retail. Everyone in the entireorganisation has worked very hard and isvery deserving of this title.”

The awards were announced at aspectacular ceremony on June 14th at thehistoric Guildhall in London.

Blakemore Retail Achieve Investors inPeople SilverFollowing a recent assessment Blakemore Retail is celebrating after achieving Investors inPeople Silver status.

“I am extremely proud thatBlakemore Retail has been

recognised as BestIndependent Retail Chain at

the Grocer Gold awards.

“I would like to extend abig thank you to all thosethat took part or assistedwith the assessment and avery special thanks to allthose that are out thereworking hard week in /

week out as this has resultedin making the Silver

accreditation possible.”

Investors in People is a nationallyrecognised quality standard thatBlakemore Retail has held since 2002. TheSilver status comes just three years afterBlakemore Retail achieved Bronze in2013.

The assessment process looks forcontinuous improvement in the way thatthe business communicates, trains anddevelops its staff, and prepares for futurechallenges.

As part of Blakemore Retail’s assessmentprocess, more than 200 colleagues wereinterviewed, including people from allareas and locations within the company.

Investors in People Practitioner KathrynShepherd commented:“Silver accreditation is a fantastic

outcome given the size of the companyand complexity of the workingenvironment, which brings furtherchallenges in delivering effective supportfor people.“The Blakemore Way was even betterunderstood and embedded. People seemto live the Blakemore Way rather thanjust being able to quote a set of values.“The level of consistency was moreimpressive than last time and theaccreditation seems to be even morerobust than was the case for Bronze- areal achievement in a period of just threeyears. Many congratulations to everyonefor their contribution to this success; itcould only have been realized through theparticipation of people at all levelsthroughout Blakemore Retail.”

Training & Development Manager KerryHunt added:


News Awards

6 7

Celebrations at RetailIndustry Awards 2016

SPAR Brand

The division performed outstandingly atthis years’ ceremony picking up awards inthe categories Multiple CommunityRetailer of the Year, Chilled Retailer of theYear, Fairfield picked up ForecourtRetailer of the Year and Wrexham wasawarded Food to Go Retailer of the Year.In addition, Wrexham Store ManagerJanet Cruse was awarded the title StoreManager of the Year for the exceptionaldedication and enthusiasm she shows toher team and store. Sleaford StoreManager Tim Hindley was also highlycommended in this category.Congratulations to Stacey Aitken-Best,Store Manager from Leegomery who wasshortlisted for Store Manager of the Yearand Porthcawl and Quay Road PostOffices who were shortlisted for PostOffice of the Year.Judges commended Blakemore Retailacross all five winning categories for itsimagination, forward thinking approach,strong culture and links with thecommunity. Celebrating over 20 years of excellence,the Retail Industry Awards, known as the‘Oscars’ of the grocery industry, rewardexcellence and outstanding achievementsacross a variety of different categories.Managing Director Stuart Adkincommented:

The SPAR brand range offers a hostof benefits for stores and customersalike. Stores benefit throughenhanced loyalty as customersreturn for products that can only bepurchased at SPAR, margin enhancinglines within the range (SPAR brandaccounts for 22% of total sales and25% of total profit), and increasedbasket spend from customers.Customers spend a staggering 50%more when buying own brand. Thecustomer in turn benefits fromenhanced choice – includingproducts which capitalise on modernfood trends, and product qualityequivalent to that which you’d find inany of our competitors.

So in order to maximise theseopportunities we’ve created aworking group to utilise the hugenumber of brand advocates thatwork within our stores to makecustomers aware of our SPAR brandoffer.

Over the next 12 months our storeswill see a step change in how newSPAR brand lines are introduced tothe business, receivingcomprehensive briefings onforthcoming product launches withopportunities to trial products, newinitiatives to enhance in storeexecution of SPAR brand lines andencourage customers to

The black tie ceremony took place onSeptember 29th at the prestigiousGrosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane,London.

Blakemore Retail is celebrating a night to remember after scooping five categorywins and one commendation at the prestigious Retail industry Awards 2016.

With over 1,000 products in the range and more than 100award wins in the last 12 months– our SPAR brand productsreally are a jewel in our crown.

Community Affairs Officer Liz Bell collected theMultiple Community Retailer of the Year Award

Wrexham Store Manager Janet Cruse not onlywalked away with Store Manager of the Year butFood to Go Retailer of the Year awards

Stuart Adkin and Geoff Hallam collected theaward for Chilled Retailer of the Year

Fairfield Store Manager Michele Lawson wasawarded Forecourt Retailer of the Year

“We are extremely proudthat our stores and peoplehave been recognised for

their innovation, exceptionalstandards and strong links

with the community.

“Everyone acrossBlakemore Retail has

worked very hard and isvery deserving of these

highly regarded and soughtafter titles.”

However, there isnothing more importantin driving sales than ourstaff in stores, so if wecan make each andevery one of you an

advocate for ourproducts – just the ones

you love!Then we know you can

encourage morecustomers to try them.

‘try me!’

Pinchbeck’s MichelleChamberlainCrowned SalesAssistant of the YearMichelle Chamberlain fromBlakemore Retail’s Pinchbeckstore in Spalding has been namedthe UK’s Best Multiple SymbolSales Assistant by ConvenienceStore Magazine.

Michelle was recognised at the awardsceremony at The Dorchester in Londonon November 8th.

Judges chose Michelle because shedemonstrates the ability to rise tochallenges without it affecting her top-notch customer service.

Commenting on her win Michelle said:

“The customers are my favourite part ofthis job. I’m a people person and I love tochat to the shoppers. I know most ofthem by name and have seen them growup over the last 13 years.

“This has definitely given me a confidenceboost. I just can’t believe it. Thiscertificate is going up on the store wall.”

Convenience Store’s Editor David Reesadded: “Michelle has shown all theattributes you would hope for in a salesassistant- efficiency, adaptability and afriendly nature, but above all acommitment to giving customers a warmwelcome and the best service possible.”

Winning Sales Assistant Michelle Chamberlain walksaway with a prize of £500.

Newark ScoopsForecourt Trader AwardsBlakemore Retail’s Newarkpetrol forecourt store hasbeen recognised in theMidlands up to 4MLPAcategory at Forecourt TraderAwards 2016. Congratulations to Battlefield who wereshortlisted for Best Soft Drinks Outlet.

The ceremony took place at a regal-themed black-tie ceremony at theprestigious London Hilton Hotel on ParkLane in London.


Awards Awards

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Double Successat CTP Awards

Blakemore Retail has been recognised as Corporate Partner of the Year in the West Midlands atthe NSPCC Childhood Champion Awards 2016.

Blakemore Retail Crowned RegionalCorporate Partner of the Year

The Him! CTP Awards celebrate the ‘bestin class’ in convenience, and are the onlyawards where over 20,000 conveniencestore shoppers and store staff are thejudges.

Him! Research and Consulting areconvenience experts and speak to morethan 100,000 shoppers and retailersevery year to get to the heart of whatdrives their behaviour. Their expertisespans not only convenience but alsowholesale, the high street and out ofhome.

The Him! CTP Awards took placeon Wednesday 11th May at theVictoria and Albert Museum inLondon.

Best Convenience Retailer for Fresh & ChilledBest Convenience Retailer for Promotions

The award is in recognition of theoutstanding contribution BlakemoreRetail has made to the NSPCC. Duringthe 2015/16 financial year BlakemoreRetail employees have raised £314,316for the children’s charity.

The Childhood Champion Awards tookplace at the Banking Hall in CentralLondon to celebrate the commitmentmade each year to the NSPCC’s fight forevery childhood.

Operations Support and MarketingManager Sarah Deakin said:

Operations Support & Marketing Manager SarahDeakin and Community Affairs Officer Liz Bell

NSPCC Partnership Manager TiannaCowan commented:

“Blakemore Retail has been supportingthe NSPCC and ChildLine since 2006,raising over £2 million for children. Thismoney has been raised through the hardwork and determination of store andoffice based employees through activitiessuch as dress down days, cake sales andeven a 500 mile bike ride. Despiteworking in a busy retail environment, theemployees continuously raise money forthe NSPCC, raising on average £300k ayear.

“The funds help the NSPCC to reachthousands of primary school childrenaged 4 to 11 through the Speak Out. StaySafe. programme giving a generation ofchildren the knowledge andunderstanding they need to stay safe fromabuse and neglect. Blakemore Retailcontinue to fundraise for the programme,as well as encouraging employees tovolunteer, of which we have seven todate.”

Blakemore Retail has scooped two awards atthe Him! CTP Awards in the categories ofBest Convenience Retailer for Fresh & Chilledand Promotions.

“I was delighted andhonoured to accept the

award on behalf ofBlakemore Retail. Our staff

and customers arepassionate about fundraising

for the NSPCC and thefantastic service they deliver

to our primary schools”.

Store Manager Julie Sharpe collecting the Forecourt Trader award

“I was very impressed withthe new Laceby

development. It hasexcellent facilities and hasgreatly enhanced the area

after what was a longperiod when the site was

derelict. I’m sure that bothlocals and visitors will

benefit from theinvestment.”

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers has visited Laceby Lodge service station to discuss theopening of the store and its value in providing jobs for the local community together withbusiness rates, employment costs and retail crime.

Area Manager Carolyne Barker added:“We were pleased to meet Martin toshowcase our store and how we areworking to meet the needs of ourcustomers. It proved very beneficial todiscuss the latest issues that are having animpact on our business and the widerconvenience sector with our local MP.Having a strong relationship with Martinwill help us to develop the business intothe future.”

MP Martin Vickers commented: “

MP Visits Laceby Lodge

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers with AreaManager Carolyne Barker.

Winter 2016/17

S tores in FocusWinter 2016/17

S tores in Focus

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Dual-Brand SPAR ForecourtsAnnounced

Stores in Focus

The two sites, based in Buckley, Flintshire,and Newark, Nottinghamshire, joined theJet network in April.

Area Manager David Garside said: “Wesee this as a great opportunity to test thewater with a convenience brand we’realready familiar with, and a new fuelsupplier.

"We want to determine the value of theSPAR brand on the forecourt on sites

which are heavily convenience led, butalso have the backing of a trusted fuelbrand.

“Jet is a reputable fuel supplier, offeringstrong security of supply and refineryproduct at both these sites, which wasalso a key factor in our decision.”

Jet Group Dealer Manager Graham Cloutsaid:

“It gives forecourt owners the flexibilityto select the best option available tothem to meet the needs of eachindividual site, rather than a ‘one size fitsall’ retail solution.

“Both of these sites are immaculatelymaintained and will be a real credit to theJet network. We’re confident they wouldalready score highly in our award-winning‘Proud to be Jet’ services and standardsprogramme.”

The UK’s first Jet and SPAR dual-brandedsite opened last summer following thelaunch of the new conveniencepartnership in April 2015.

Buckley, Flintshire Newark, Nottinghamshire

Blakemore Retail has announced a long-term supply contract with fuel brand Jet, whichhas seen the launch of two dual-brand SPAR forecourts.

“The fact that BlakemoreRetail decided to dual

brand both sites istestament to the benefits

our partnership with SPARoffers.

Seven My Local StoresAnnouncedBlakemore Retail welcomed seven My Local stores to the business earlier this yearlocated in Rhyl, Rugeley, South Benfleet, Cardiff, Chatham, Lambeth and Witham.Managing Director Stuart Adkincommented: “During these turbulenttimes I would like to reassure all MyLocal employees that they form a firmpart of Blakemore Retail’s future plansand look forward to the positivecontribution they can make to the widerBlakemore group.

“The acquisition of thesestores supports our widerstrategy for expansion andwe plan to invest in these

stores.

“Once again I would like towelcome all 84 My Local

employees to the BlakemoreRetail family and thank allthe teams involved for thefantastic support and hard

work to ensure that six of theseven stores were operational

within 48 hours.

“The final store, Rugeley,opened later on November4th following the transfer ofBlakemore Retail’s original

Rugeley store plus theaddition of the local Post

Office.”

Witham, Essex Churchill Avenue, Chatham

South Benfleet, EssexCowbridge Road, Cardiff

Rugeley, StaffordshireMyatt's Field, Lambeth

Drakes CrossOpened: December 8th 2015Average weekly sales: £31,500

ConwyOpened: May 23rd 2016Average weekly sales: £40,000

CatshillOpened: December 8th 2015Average weekly sales: £19,000

HagleyOpened: August 17th 2016Average weekly sales: £38,000

YaxleyOpened: May 13th 2016Average weekly sales: £29,000

Rhyl, North Wales

Since the lastmagazineBlakemore Retailhas welcomed thefollowing new storesto its estate.

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Winter 2016/17

NewsWinter 2016/17

Post Of f ice

Post Office NetworkTransformation nearing completion

Blakemore Retail opened the newlyrefurbished Mains branch at Stonydelphon 25th August 2016. This conversionensured that all Blakemore Retail postoffices are now trading in either a Mainsor Local format.

At the end of the 2015/16 financial yearour post office estate totalled 80branches – 42 Mains and 38 Locals. Yearto date, we have opened a further eightLocals and one Mains branch, with anadditional 11 Locals planned to beintegrated before the end of the financialyear; this will bring the total number ofin-store post offices to 100.

Therefore, over the last three years atotal of 89 new-style branches have beenopened, with investment exceeding wellover £1.25m.

What plans do we have forfinancial services?

In 2015/16, financial services continued togrow slowly across a wide range ofproducts.

We are targeting to continue this growthover the next few years, focusing onbanking products, insurance, foreigncurrency, and counter services throughthe new Post Office Banking Framework.Independent research carried out earlierthis year confirmed that while digitalaccess for financial services is growingquickly, a significant proportion of thepopulation still look to branches forsimple transactions and/or complexfinancial decisions. As an importantpartner of Post Office Ltd, we can play acritical role in providing such services.

Post Office has one of the most trustedbrands in the UK and award-winningproducts that are rated highly byconsumers and industry experts – ourproducts regularly appear in the best buy

tables. This is something we must makemore use of if we are to continue togrow our financial services portfolio.

Blakemore Retail’sPost Office networktransformationprogramme has nowentered its third year.

Post Office – Key Areas of Focus

During the summer, our focus has beenon Travel Money and Insurance. This hasbeen particularly important following therecent decline in sterling. Perversely, ourtravel money business has enjoyed an18% growth in like for like sales resultingin additional £11k in commission year todate.

The Post Office created a new marketingcampaign to show how easy it is forcustomers to get their travel moneysorted at our branches and combined thiswith a 25 per cent discount on TravelInsurance, if bought at the same time astheir currency. We have used Facebook toadvertise this promotion, which hasbrought us significant success. At the timeof going to press, the agency network was1% above their last year’s performancehowever, Blakemore Retail were astaggering 16% above last year – afantastic performance. This is on top of aseven year on year deterioration of travelinsurance sales.

As we move into the autumn/winter,focus will shift to other productsincluding Mortgages referrals, CreditCards, Savings and Insurance.

The Mains post office format StonydelphPost Office

Carole Stawarz- Hasland

Gordon Miles- Llanrumney

Delegates from the Midlands who have recently completed the programme

Chris Wigston- Ashgate

Paula Bates- Two Dales

Dawn Evans- Risca Park

Vicki Tozer- Skegness

Your Development ProgrammeYour Development Programme is an eight month management development courseaimed at new or newly promoted store managers.The programme looks to equipcandidates with knowledge and skillsacross key business areas includingoperations, customer service, managinglegalities, HR, loss prevention, Fresh Foodand IT.

The course concludes with candidatesdelivering a business presentation to apanel of senior managers and agraduation day.

Since the launch of Your DevelopmentProgramme in July 2012, more than 80Blakemore Retail employees havegraduated from the course. There are afurther 40 candidates currently takingpart in the programme.

Here are a few photos of recentgraduates of the Your DevelopmentProgramme:

What is the Banking Frameworkand how can it helpBlakemore Retail?

Post Office limited enjoy a very successfulrelationship with the UK banks to enabletheir customers to complete a range oftransaction services in branches – 99 percent of UK personal current accountholders can access services in branches.

However, the services available vary witheach bank, and this makes it difficult forPost Office Limited to market the serviceand in turn, confusing for our customers.

The Framework will establish a single setof consistent services that will beavailable right across the UK; this willstreamline processes, remove manualtransactions and paper and allow POL tomarket it properly. Final negotiations arecurrently taking place with the UK banks,with a target that the Framework will beoperational from 1st January 2017.

As the number of bank closures haveincreased this year, Blakemore Retail haveseen significant improvement in theirtransactional volumes as banks takeadvantage of the opportunity to accessPost Office branches – these volumes areset to increase further as the number ofbank closures increase over the next fewyears.

How are we supporting our staffto increase Financial Services ?

Making sure our staff are confident andequipped to talk about the products weoffer will be paramount. There are lots ofopportunities available to develop ourstaff as long as Post Office Limitedprovide the appropriate support. Centralto this will be supporting the growth ofour Customer Relationship Experts(CRE) role. By the end of the year, weplan to have around 15 CREs.

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Winter 2016/17

NewsWinter 2016/17

News

In this edition of It’s Your News, Fresh & Foodservice Development Director Matt Teague provides an update on the growth of franchise partners in BlakemoreRetail stores and highlights the significant opportunity foodservice can provide.Our company is acutely aware of thecommercial need to grow a strongerprofit base. Fresh and foodserviceprovides a key and significant opportunityto do just that. So what are the pressuresimpacting our business that drives thisneed?

Firstly, operating within the fiercelycompetitive market place of convenienceretail there is an ever increasing need tocreate a true and recognisable point ofdifference to set ourselves apart from ourcompetitors that will attract, maintain andincrease customer traffic to our stores. Inaddition, the pressures driven from thediscounters in terms of retail pricefurther erodes our competitive edge.

Secondly, new pressures derived fromlegislative changes introduced throughgovernment policies, for example, theNational Living Wage, have added furtherand significant pressures to our netprofitability.

Therefore, the requirement to developthe business where “new” sales areintroduced that offer strong andsignificantly higher profit margins thanthose offered by conventionalconvenience retailing, is crucial for ourfuture success. The race to achieve this inthe market place is now underway,recognising this opportunity earlier thanother convenience operators, we believeBlakemore Retail have an advantage overour competitors and are leading the wayin this field.

Over the past two years we havedeveloped an exciting and vibrantfoodservice strategy, introducing new subbrands Daily Deli and Bargain Bitesalongside partnerships with Subway,Costa and Greggs. 68% of BlakemoreRetail stores now feature some form offoodservice.

Our business activity has led to deliveringstrong growth and our sales forecast tothe end of this financial year will see ourfoodservice sales pass £34m, a growth of16% on 2015/2016.

Blakemore Retail have developed apartnership with INSOMNIA, a leadingand highly successful coffee shop chainbased in Southern Ireland.

This is an exciting opportunity for ourbusiness and like our ventures withSUBWAY and Greggs, INSOMNIA willenter our business as a trial, where thefirst store to feature Insomnia opened inAugust at Laceby, our latest fuel stationdevelopment. The INSOMNIA coffeeshop has started life with sales exceeding£3,500 per week and we expect to seethese grow steadily across the next 12months, as local customers and passingtraffic get familiar with the brand. Asecond store is planned for early 2017 inBakewell, which is a highly seasonallocation in the Derbyshire Dales.

Need to SucceedFood Service - The

To support retail implementation,Blakemore Retail now have a 14strong fresh food team. Their mainfunction is to train store staff,implement retail strategy and conductaudits relating to food andoperational safety to ensure the

highest standards are maintained. Theteam are crucial to the current successof foodservice in our business and area key component to the businessdelivering its foodservice strategy inthe years ahead.

Number of stores- 30

Average weekly sales- £9,000

Average year on year increasefollowing conversion- in excessof 12%


Total retail sales- £190k perweek

Brand worth over £9.5m toBlakemore Retail

Number of stores indevelopment- 8


Number of lines- 25 includingfilled baguettes, hot breakfastsandwiches and toasties.

Bargain Bites£1value

Number of stores- 5

Sales growth of 20% year onyear

Five stores will bring over £1.5mof retail sales in 2016/17



Over 31,000 cups sold per week

Sales have grown by over 26% inlast twelve months.



Community Community

NSPCC Fundraising

16 17

Hundreds of Blakemore Retail employees from across England and Wales have celebratedanother jam-packed year of fundraising for national children’s charity the NSPCC.

Wordsley Post Office raised £71 forthe NSPCC by running a tombola andcake sale.

Inkersall hosted a tombola stalloutside the store and raised £207.50.

In November Blakemore Retailpresented the NSPCC with a chequefor funds raised between June andOctober 2016 to the value of £84,936.

Tenbury Wells hosted an in-storecycle and Easter hamper over fourweeks that raised £677.00.

Terminus Road held a carnival daythat raised £60.

Rhuddlan employee Leonie Edgebraved a bean bath to raise £150.

Upton organised a cake and book salethat raised £163.

Raunds held an Easter colouringcompetition that raised £212.

Fernhill Heath and Warndonawarded the NSPCC BirminghamService Centre a bundle of goodies.

Stonydelph Post Office held a charityhamper raffle that raised £103.

Adrianne Blair from Hatherley raised£525 by shaving her head.

Clifton Green organised a charityhamper raffle which raised £250.

Porthcawl Post Office organised acharity hamper raffle that raised £213.

Upton ran an Easter hamper thatraised £185.

Sherburn held a charity hamper thatraised £175.

Bedale organised a ‘Big Board Game’day that raised £269.

Bradley Cross Roads held a ‘SubwayParty’_ with lots of freebies that raised£450.

Bedale held a ‘Valentine’s Day’ raffleand cake stall that raised £233.

Cefn Glas Store Manager Sean Barryand Fresh Food Operations SupportCoordinator Hayley Parsons braved thePorthcawl Christmas Swim to raise £554.

Hillsborough – Top FundraisingStore (East Region) & MostImproved Store £3,602

Tenbury Wells – Top FundraisingStore (West Region) £4,896

Bettws – Top Fundraising Store(South West Region) £4,018

Over the 2015/16 financial year,Blakemore Retail donated £314,316 tothe childrens charity, bringing the total

amount raised throughout the 10 yearpartnership to £2.3million.

In recognition of employees hard work, Blakemore Retail hasawarded the region’s top fundraising stores and the top mostimproved store. NSPCC Partnership Manager Tianna Cowancommented:

Here is a snapshot of some of thefundraising activities that have takenplace over the course of the last year:

“Each year, Blakemore Retail does afantastic job of fundraising for theNSPCC, and we continue to be blownaway by stores’ enthusiasm!

“In 2015/2016 alone, we have had giftsdonated to our Birmingham ServiceCentre for the children that we help

there, 50 – 500 mile bike rides, skydivingand plenty of cake sales!

“Thank you to everyone who has raisedmoney for us– for every penny donation,you are helping us in our fight for everychildhood.”

Market Harborough team cycled thedistance from the store to Lands End(353 miles) to raise £269.

Wyberton – TopFundraisingStore (SouthEast Region)£3,101

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Winter 2016/17

CommunityWinter 2016/17

Community

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Halloween Spooktacular Stores put on a spook-tacular display of fundraising for the NSPCC in 2015and 2016. Take a look at some of the ghoulish goings on:

1. Auckley hosted a Halloween partyand children’s fancy dress competitionthat raised £425

2. Merthyr Tydfil held a cake sale raising£125

3. Tonyrefail hosted a cake sale raising£272

4. Chirk held a Halloween themedhamper raffle that raised £198

5. Sleaford held a ‘Guess the weight ofthe cake’ event and hamper

6. Baschurch held a Halloween themedhamper raffle

7. Tickhill Post Office dressed in theirspookiest outfits and held a colouringcompetition

8. Fernhill Heath organised aconfectionary hamper raffle

9. Tenbury Wells held an in-storespooky cycle that raised £240

10. Penyfford dressed up for the dayraising £102

11. Hardy’s Road held a spooky day in-store

12. Grove Road held a charity day thatraised £96

13. Felixstowe store & Post Office held acharity day that raised £289.86

14. Greatstone held an in-store fun day

15. Batchley held an in-store fun day

1. Bassingbourn hosted a Halloween funday and raised £124 for the NSPCC

2. Market Harborough organised aspooky tombola and raised £129

3. Tonyrefail raffled off a Halloweenhamper

4. Fernhill Heath arranged a Halloweenevent in aid of the NSPCC

5. Bromsgrove sold carved pumpkinswith a donation going to the NSPCC

6. Broseley raffled off a Halloweenhamper

7. The Two Dales store and Subway helda pumpkin colouring competition

8. Inkersall raised £84 with theirHalloween fundraiser

9. Chipping Sodbury put together aHalloween hamper

10. Chirk set up a ghoulish windowdisplay

11. Cotteridge arranged a tombola

12. New Waltham raffled a Halloweenhamper

13. Skegness organised a cake sale

14. Taylors Avenue fundraised with alucky dip

15. Wardles Lane Post Office raised £55by dressing up

16. Elstead laid on a coffee morning thatraised £202

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2 1. Sherburn raffled a Christmas hamperraising £155

2. Glemsford held a charity cake stalland fancy dress day

3. Bassingbourn raffled a Christmashamper

4. Cefn Forest raffled a Christmashamper

5. King’s Lynn organised a Bobble HatDay

6. Wollaston organised a Christmashamper that raised £120

7. Treorchy organised a Christmashamper

8. Cefn Glas held a ‘Name the bear’competition that raised £70

9. Clifton Green held a charity hamperthat raised £250

10. Stonydelph Post Office raised £103with a Christmas hamper

11. Tenbury Wells held a in-store cycleraising £202

12. Wordsley Post Office organised aChristmas hamper

13. Blakeney organised a Christmaswindow display

14. Hardy’s Road Post Office organised aChristmas hamper

15. Porthcawl Post Office organised aChristmas hamper that raised £213

16. Hillsborough Post Office raffled acharity hamper

17. Bradley Cross Roads Post Officeorganised a Christmas hamper

18. Wordsley held a Christmas themedSuper Subway Saturday

19. Glemsford held a Christmas hamper20. Westway raffled a Christmas hamper21. Barningham organised a Bobble Hat

Day22. Cefn Fforest organised a Christmas

hamper23. Intake created a Christmas scene in-

store24. King’s Lynn raffled a Christmas

hamper25. Sleaford organised

an array offundraising games

26. Bassingbournhosted a Christmasfun day raising £450

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Volunteers Spread Festive Sparkle toSupport Operation Christmas ChildStore managers from across David Garside and Janet Cruse’s area cametogether to support Operation Christmas Childthis year.A total of 34 Blakemore Retail storesacross their areas donated 350 employeehours to help pack and wrap Christmasshoe boxes for children in Africa, EasternEurope and Central Asia.

All managers obtained a donation fromthe Blakemore Foundation and broughtitems to fill the boxes on the day.

The shoe boxes included educationalitems, sweets, non-liquid hygiene items(soap, flannels, tooth brushes), stationaryand small toys.

Operation Christmas Child is an initiativeof Samaritan’s Purse, an internationalrelief and development organisation thatworks through local churches to supportcommunities in Africa, Eastern Europeand Central Asia.

Festive Fundraising Stores got into the festive spirit in 2015 raising sack fulls of cash overthe Christmas period:

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Winter 2016/17


Community

Charity Ball Raises £32,000for the NSPCCBlakemore Retail’s inaugural NSPCC Charity Ball took place in March raising £32,000for the children’s charity.

Guests were greeted with a drinksreception followed by a delicious four-course meal, prior to an evening offundraising, staff recognition andentertainment by Take That tribute band,“Rule The World”.

Fundraising highlights included achampagne balloon raffle, live raffle plussilent and live auctions.

Managing Director, Geoff Hallam said:

The ball was held at Coombe Abbey inWarwickshire to celebrate BlakemoreRetail’s £2million fundraising milestone inaid of the NSPCC.

200 guests including suppliers and staff,attended the ball hosted by ManagingDirector, Geoff Hallam and NSPCCDirector of Fundraising, Paul Farthing.

Marathon Men and WomenFour employees have collectively raised more than £14,000 for charity by running theLondon Marathon.On April 24th, Retail IT Systems TrainerIestyn Rhodes, Blakemore Retail AreaManager Paul Wiltshire, formerBlakemore Retail Operations SupportAssistant Andrew Hadley and A.F.Blakemore Community Affairs Officer LizBell were amongst almost 40,000 runnerswho embarked on the gruelling 26.2-milerace around the capital.

The race set off from Greenwich Park insouth-east London and passed thecapital’s landmarks, including Big Ben andthe Tower of London, before culminatingat the world-famous finish line on TheMall. This year’s marathon celebrated theone millionth runner crossing the finishline since the event started back in 1981.

The quartet have raised more than£14,000 in total. The good causessupported were Iestyn Rhodes’s chosencharity, Scope, Paul Wiltshire’s chosencharity, Breast Cancer Now, and finally,Andrew Hadley and Liz Bell’s chosencharity, the NSPCC, which celebrated its30th birthday this year.

Iestyn Rhodes, who completed themarathon in less than three hours, said: “Iwas really pleased with my marathon timeof 2:59:01 as I had targeted 2:59:00.

“I found the first 16 miles tough, trying tobe controlled with my pace, then enjoyedmiles 17 – 21, then at miles 22 – 26 mylegs started to not enjoy it so much! But Imanaged to keep to pace for the last few

miles. It was great finishing in front ofBuckingham Palace and I felt more than abit emotional as I crossed the line.

“The London Marathon was my firstmajor event of the year as I will becompleting Ironman Tenby in September2016, so I have a few weeks of recoverynow before seriously getting the bike andswimming training going.”

Paul Wiltshire, who completed themarathon in 3:48:59, thirty minutesquicker than his time last year,commented: “I am not ashamed to say,and it affected us all, that there arecertain points on the marathon route –be it the iconic buildings such as TowerBridge, the cheering supporting crowdcalling out your name or a reminder ofwhy we are raising money for BreastCancer Now – which make it a veryemotional journey around the Londonstreets that brings tears to your eyes.”

First-time marathon runner AndrewHadley added: “Before training for theMarathon I hadn’t even ever run for abus, so the thought of running 26.2 mileshadn’t crossed my mind. Back in August Isaw an advert to run the LondonMarathon on behalf of the NSPCC, and Ithought ‘why not apply’. After all, thechances of getting in were quite low. Afew weeks later, it all became very realwhen I got a call to say that I was going tobe part of Team NSPCC for the LondonMarathon.

“Over the last eight months I graduallybuilt up my training and ran the Warwick

Half Marathon in March. I also set aboutraising funds with car boot sales, rafflesand tombolas. With support from mycolleagues we set up a cake sale andName the Elf game in Blakemore Retailstores. I also received personalsponsorships and donations from friendsand family. I have raised £2,318 that willgo to the NSPCC.

“I really enjoyed the day of the Marathon;it is an experience I will remember forthe rest of my life. My time was not aworld beater (six hours and 12 minutes)but it wasn’t about that; it was abouttaking part, getting the medal and raisingmoney for the NSPCC.”

“We are so grateful to the people whohave assisted our staff ’s fundraisingthroughout our partnership from thosewho give spare change in our collectiontins, to those who back our store’s wildand courageous fundraising events; theyare all incredibly generous and withouttheir support reaching our milestone of£2million wouldn't have been possible.

"Our charity ball has really helped us tocelebrate this achievement and givespecial thanks to those that have made itpossible! Thank you to everyoneinvolved."

“I’d like to give recognitionto all Blakemore Retail

employees who have livedand breathed fundraisingfor the NSPCC over the

past 10 years. Yourcontinued support is

unbelievable.

Community Affairs Officer Liz Bell with AdminAssistant Andrew HadleyThe Blakemore Retail Events team who organised the Ball along with NSPCC volunteers

Area Manager Paul Wiltshire

Retail IT Systems Trainer Iestyn Rhodes

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Winter 2016/17


Community

Bannerbrook donated an array of treatsto the Firefighters Football Clubtournament.

Tracy Cocks from Bradley CrossRoads took part in Macmillan CancerSupports ‘Brave the Shave’, raising anastonishing £1,000 for the charity.

Pinchbeck helped to promote healthyeating by making a donation of healthyfoods to Pinchbeck Primary School.

Hayley Parsons of Operations Supporthelped donate goods and hands onsupport to the Paul Popham Fund’s funrun.

Northgate donated refreshments to theEpilepsy Action, Cymru.

Bassingbourn donated funds to PHABclub, Cambridge branch.

Burbage donated bottled water and fruitto Burbage Infants School’s sports day.

Ramsgate donated funds to PeopleUnited’s ‘Best Fest’ event.

Gwersyllt donated a variety of Eastertreats to the After School & Holiday Clubat St. Anne’s Primary School, Wrexham.

Bad Bargain Lane donated £100towards Carecent York at the CentralMethodist Church.

Carol Jensen from Yarborough Roadraised £1,800 by taking part in ‘Brave theShave’ for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jane Pattison of Wells braved a charityskydive for Cancer Research UK, raising£700.

Beddau gave a bundle of goodies toBridger’s Girls Rugby Football Club.

Llanishen Fach donated refreshmentsto a ‘Great Blooming Tea Party’ in aid ofMarie Curie.

Bassingbourn donated raffle prizes andtheir time to Bassingbourn Steam Fair‘Steam at the Hoops’, helping to raise over£1,400 for the local pensioners.

Loughor donated refreshments to thecommunity fun day hosted by Friends ofParc Williams, Loughor.

Barningham donated refreshments tothe Friends of Bardwell Windmills MillsDay.

Over Half a Million PoundsDonated to Good CausesBlakemore Retail’s dedication tosupporting good causes is an integral partof community engagement today;whereby the use of the BlakemoreFoundation is fundamental. Back in 2010,the division awarded 47 donations. Thishas risen to an incredible 2,722 donationsawarded in 2015/16 worth £156,118.

The rate of support given to local goodcauses is down to the hard work anddevotion shown across the BlakemoreRetail division. This has enabled theBlakemore Foundation to donate£500,000 to 12,000 good causes over thelast six years

If you’re interested in supporting a localgood cause in your area, then theBlakemore Foundation might be able tohelp. It offers three types of donations:

Standard Donations: These areawarded to local good causes, charitiesand projects located within the company’strading area up to the value of £200

Match Fund Donations: Thefundraising efforts of all employees can bematched by the Blakemore Foundation upto the value of £200. (Please note thatthis does not include fundraising for theNSPCC or Retail Trust.)

In Kind Donations: These are awardedto support local community events in theform of goods e.g. food, drink orequipment for use as raffle prizes orrefreshments.

For further information on theBlakemore Foundation, or to apply for adonation, please contact Community

Affairs Officer Kate Senter using thecontact details below:

Blakemore FoundationUnit 401, Axcess 10 Business ParkBentley Road South, DarlastonWS10 8LQTel: 0121 568 2910Email: [email protected]

Take a look at just some of the greatcauses supported over the past twelvemonths:

Blakemore Retail staff have helped the company’s charitable trust, the Blakemore Foundation todonate over half a million pounds over the past six years.

Tom Williams from Bethesda took partin a sponsored bike ride in September,cycling from Bethesda to Cardiff (193miles) in aid of the NSPCC and Hospiceat Home.

Training News in Brief

Operations Support and Marketing Co-ordinator CarolineWills completed the ILM Level 3 certificate in Leadership andManagement in September.

Congratulations to Dave Smith from Wordsley whocompleted his ILM Level 3 in Butchery earlier this year.

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Tra in ingCommunity

Blakemore Retail employees made 2016 memorable with a royal display of charitable giving.

Bassingbourn had a charity fun dayand cake sale that raised £257

West Mersea went patriotic for theday.

Pinchbeck hosted a stand atPinchbeck Carnival selling sweets andcakes that raised £215.

Oulton Broad dressed up in red,white and blue in honour of theQueen, raising £109.

Gainsborough raffled off a home-made patriotic cake.

Holywell held a sale of scrumptiouscakes that raised £54.

Cotteridge Post Office held a charitytombola and cake sale that raised £88.

Felixstowe held a charity cake sale.

Valley Road held a cake sale withoodles of home-made treats.

Barnby Dunn dressed up in red,white and blue in honour of the Queenraising £57

Bassaleg Road held a charity fun dayfor the Queen’s birthday.

Redditch Road decked the store inroyalty for the Queen’s birthdaycelebrations.

Staff from across the Blakemore Retail estate held majestic displays of community support in celebration of Her Royal Majesty’s 90thBirthday. Staff threw a series of fundraising events including cake sales, fancy dress days and tombolas to name but a few. In addition to this, over £700’s worth of food and drink were donated via the company’s charitable trust, Blakemore Foundation to avariety of good causes such as care homes, schools, churches and the NSPCC.

Here is a snapshot of a few of the royal occasions recorded across the company:

Birthday CelebrationsCrowned Community Success

Leading the Blakemore Way Update

Since then, more than 500 people haveattended the two-day programme aimedat supporting colleagues develop theirleadership attitudes, skills and capability.

Over this time store and assistantmanagers, Post Office managers, foodservice managers and Your DevelopmentProgramme candidates have attended theprogramme with 195 colleagues trainedin 2015/16 and 62 in 2016/17 year todate.

Blakemore Retail Training andDevelopment Manager Kerry Huntcommented:

Back in 2014 Blakemore Retail rolled out its bespoke leadershipdevelopment programme, Leading the Blakemore Way to store managers.

“Leading the BlakemoreWay forms an integralpart of the company’sbusiness strategy and is

critical that we haveleaders at all levels of the

business with self-awareness, attitudes andbehaviours required to

help shape the businessculture for the future.

“From September 2016we have a further 18

courses scheduled andanticipate training an

additional 220 people.”

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CommunityCommunity

Tonyrefail Day Centre was given amakeover by green fingered volunteersfrom Tonyrefail store.

Staff from the Valley store and Subwayvisited numerous schools in Angleseyeducating the children on healthy foodoptions.

Wrexham lead a project with stafffrom across their area and transformedan old church into a useable space for alocal Food Bank.

Hasland worked in conjunction withthe local council as part of theirconservation project. On the day theteam supported the preparation of thearea ready for the guests.

Volunteers from Sherburn store andPost Office spent the day transformingthe Peter Pan nursery play area.

Volunteers from Barton planted bulbsand created hanging baskets forresidents at Eagle House Care Home.

A team from Cardigan regenerated anarea of land owned by CardiganCouncil.

Ysgol Bro Ingli School in Newporthad weeds, brambles and pathwayscleared ready for children to return toschool.

Tonyrefail Day Centre was given amakeover by green fingered volunteersfrom Tonyrefail store.

Lylac Ridge, an animal assisted therapycentre, received support from RiscaPark.

Blakemore in the Community

An incredible 5,187 hours were donatedto worthwhile causes, up from 3,752hours in 2014/15.

In addition to traditional painting andgardening activities, colleaguesvolunteered their time to the ChildLineSchools Service, study tours, reading withschool children, charity events and healthyeating initiatives.

If you would like to take part in avolunteering activity, please contactCommunity Affairs Officer Liz Bell on0121 568 2910 or [email protected] to request acopy of the Community EngagementInformation Pack.

Here is a snapshot of recentcommunity activity:

As part of the company’s Community Engagement Programme, Blakemore Retailemployees undertook 63 community projects over the last 12 months.

Gwaunmeisgyn Primary School had anoutdoor castle built and twoclassrooms painted by staff fromBeddau.

Staff from Newtown spent the day atNewtown Rugby Club giving theoutdoor facilities a fresh lick of paint.

A retirement home was treated to asensory garden by staff fromStannington for residents who sufferwith dementia.

Volunteers from Ponthir, head officeand payroll worked collaboratively andmarshalled a colour run in aid of theBritish Heart Foundation.

Staff from Bettws spent the daypainting classrooms at MillbrookPrimary School.

Chestnut Tree Children’s Hospice inEastbourne’s Midnight Walk had supportfrom volunteers from Terminus Road,Area Manager David Evenden and FreshFood Coach Christine Harrison.

A team from Tickhill took part in alocal community clear up.

Bannerbrook worked with theirSubway colleagues and spent the daylitter picking in the community.

Staff from Bannerbrook clearedpathways at Park Hill Primary School.

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Winter 2016/17

NewsWinter 2016/17

News

Store of Excellence Awards Winners Take Tripof a LifetimeBlakemore Retail has

awarded eightoutstanding employeesthe trip of a lifetime atits Store of ExcellenceAwards 2016.Five store managers and onePost Office manager scoopedthe top prizes and walked awaywith a once in a lifetime trip tothe 2016 SPAR Convention inSan Diego based on theiroutstanding store audit scores.

The awards, which were officiallylaunched at the Blakemore RetailManagement Conference 2015, aim torecognise store and post office managerswho put their customers first, withexceptional store standards as thefoundation.

In addition, Area Manager Mark Paddisonwas awarded the title of Area Manager ofthe Year and Fresh & FoodserviceDevelopment Director Matt TeagueTeague was presented with the Tim LyonCommemorative Award for OutstandingContribution.

Store Operations Director Chris Baconsaid:

The conference consisted of aprogramme of presentations andworkshops providing an insight into theconvenience sector and SPAR’s futureplans.

Winners took in the sights of San Diegoaboard SPAR’s privately chartered yacht,spent a Top Gun evening at the MarineCorps Air Station Miramar and werewined and dined at the conventionsOscar Winners gala dinner.

Here are a few photos of theBlakemore Retail team during theirtime in San Diego:

Here are the 2016 Winners’

Stacey Aitken-Best -Leegomery

Jan Cruse - Wrexham

Kevin Butler - Staplehurst

Michele Lawson -Fairfield

Liam Amos - Auckley

Jane Hewson -Brumby Corner Post Office

Mark Paddison -Area Manager of the Year

Fresh & Foodservice DevelopmentDirector Matt Teague - Tim LyonCommemorative Award forOutstanding Contribution

This year’s Store of Excellence winners wererewarded for their outstanding store audit resultswith a trip to the 2016 SPAR Convention inSan Diego.

“A huge congratulationsto all of our finalists and

winners. The finalists wereall of the highest

standard, which meantchoosing the plannedwinners was extremely

difficult, so much so thatStuart Adkin and I couldnot separate the top five

scoring stores. As aresult, this year we

decided to award all fivestores with the title ofStore of Excellence.”

Sheila Roberts

Valley Employee Recognised with Customer Care AwardA long standing BlakemoreRetail employee has received aSpecial Directors Award for herpositive attitude and excellentcustomer service skills.

Sheila Roberts has worked at the Valleystore for 38 years and recently receivedglowing feedback from a customer visitingthe store on holiday:

“On our recent holiday to Anglesey wevisited the Valley store for some bits. Atthe time I had been quite unwell andwasn't my jolly chatty self. On arrival atthe till, Sheila was pleasant, engaging, funnyand endearing telling us she was 84 yearsold and had worked there for more than30 years.

“As I left with a tear in my eye but in agood way. This lady made a real impressionon us and we hope she had a wonderful

wedding anniversary. She's a credit to youas a company. I work for Asda and hopeI'm as happy as her in 30 years.”

Regional Manager Owen Davies added:

"I have known Sheila for over 24 yearsand it has been a pleasure seeing her andworking with her on my visits to ourValley store. She always is so happy andhas such a positive attitude and outlookon life - I hope, if I live as long as Sheila, Iwill have a similar outlook on life.

“In the community she still looks afterthe old people, doing errands andshopping for them, most of whom are alot younger than her! She still travelsaround Europe on her holidays with herfriends. When I see her at the store shealways likes a welcome kiss and oftenreminds me how good her legs are forher age.”

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News News

The Future Leaders programme wasestablished in April 2015 and the twoyear course aims to equip candidates withthe skills, confidence and knowledgerequired to provide support in theircurrent role as area managers andprepare them to step into senior roles inthe future.All area managers across BlakemoreRetail were given the opportunity toapply for the programme with shortlisted

candidates asked to attend an interviewand deliver a business presentation tothree senior managers.

Two success stories from this year’sprogramme are Gareth James and RuthMutton who have both been promotedfrom area to regional managers.

Regional Manager Gareth Jamescommented:

“I was delighted to have been acceptedon to the company’s inaugural FutureLeaders course. With over 16 years’experience as an Area Manager withinBlakemore’s I am familiar with the role,but what I was lacking was a globalpicture of how it all interlinked.

“As a group we are all developingtogether, and having Chris Bacon as amentor to guide me through the twoyear course is proving to be invaluable.The general framework is perfect forhelping me connect ideas, and I’ve alreadygained valuable experience from crossdivisional courses such as ProjectManagement, and SPAR branddevelopment. The practical examples

provide me with an intuitive perspectivethat will help me remember everything,and most importantly, equip me with theideas I need to extend them in my ownways in the future. “The course content is challenging, anddesigned to stretch myself on a dailybasis, which will provide me with theskillset that is required to hopefully play agreater role within the organisation in thefuture. I can honestly say that this is themost stimulating and inspiring course ofthis type that I have ever participated in,and I would definitely recommend it toothers.”Training & Development Manager KerryHunt commented: “The programme isintended to give candidates a widerunderstanding and knowledge of A.F.Blakemore and the convenience sector byimproving operational, commercial andbehavioural skills.“The first intake of the programme hasbeen a resounding success and we arenow reviewing the programme to buildupon its success ready for the next intakeof candidates.”

Future Leaders ProgrammeLaunchesBlakemore Retail has launched a brand new development programme to supportmanagers to step into senior roles in the future.

Simon Robbins- Westway

Natalie Gelder- Wyberton

Joe Bingham- Hillsborough

Christine Mintoe- Pot House Lane

Alex Hohlovs- King’s Lynn

Nicky Jackson- Russells Hall

Karen Cash- Hillsborough

Donna Slater- Russells Hall

Ben Hurt- Inkersall

Paul Britton- Wyberton

Lynn Jones- Penyffordd

Hannah Kinch- Long Sutton

Shop & Win Returns!Blakemore Retail customers have once again scooped top prizes as part ofSPAR UK’s national Shop & Win competition.The first phase of this year’s Shop & Win campaign kicked off in May 2016 with a further two campaigns running over the summer period.

Customers had the opportunity to win £250,000 worth of prizes including iPad Mini’s, Sony 55” 4K TV, Wimbledon tickets, Apple WatchSport and 5* trip to Rio de Janerio.

Regional Manager Gareth James

34 35

Winter 2016/17

NewsWinter 2016/17

News

Ed’s Top Tips to make the most ofyour social mediaBlakemore Retail’s Social Media Co-ordinator Ed Bolla joined the business in March this year. Here, Edshares his top tips for making the most out of your stores social media accounts.

Social Media Co-ordinator Ed Bolla

All your stores have Facebook accounts:are you making the most of yours?

With a little bit of work your socialmedia pages can become a valuablemarketing tool for your store.

Stores that have consistently invested alittle bit of time and thought in theirsocial media pages are now regularlyreaching hundreds of customers witheach of their Facebook posts.Occasionally stores’ posts reachthousands of people!

Our record reach for an individual post(so far), is held by Laceby Lodge. In thelead-up to the store’s grand opening, oneof their posts reached 27,682 people!Check out the post below:

As you can see, the post itself is notparticularly mind blowing, but you can’targue with that reach figure.

One of the main reasons why this postdid so well is that the store’s staff reallygot behind the post and liked it, shared itand commented on it.

So that’s my first tip for making the mostof your social media: support your store’ssocial media posts by regularly liking,sharing, re-tweeting and commenting onyour store’s posts from your personalFacebook and Twitter accounts. Pleasenote: if you do support the store’s socialmedia posts using your personal socialmedia accounts, please do it in anappropriate and professional manner.

How to make the most of yoursocial media: for beginners

If you’re not familiar with Facebook orTwitter it can be tough to know where tostart with it all. The good news is youdon’t need a great deal of technicalknowledge to get involved as theOperations Support & Marketing Teamwill write and post all social mediacontent for you. However, to create socialmedia posts the Operations Support &Marketing Team need pictures andinformation from you and yourcolleagues.

If you’re unsure what sort of pictures andinformation to send the across: take alook at our social media post ideas listbelow.

1. Highlight yourcommunity/charity work

2. Show off your in-store displays

4. Highlight New Store Facilities

5. Talk about a nearby popularevent

6. Celebrate staff long serviceawards

7. Tell customers about storerefits, closures and update themon store services

How to GetSomething Postedon your Facebookand Twitter Pages

Please send your social media postpictures and information to the OpsSupport and Marketing Team via theHead Office Support Portal.

If you have any queries about thisprocess feel free to email oursocial media coordinator, Ed Bolla, [email protected]

3. Talk about your in-store events

Sleaford’sFundraisingEfforts SupportFellow ColleagueMembers of staff from theSleaford store have cometogether to show support for afellow colleague by raising fundsfor Cancer Research UK.

Daily Deli employee Linda Gerrard isundergoing treatment following hercancer diagnosis and undertook achallenging sponsored ‘Race for Life’event.

As a way of supporting Linda’s fundraisingfor Cancer Research UK, the team gottogether and made it their mission toraise additional funds for the charitythrough in-store fundraising andBlakemore Foundation match fundsupport.

Store Manager Tim Hindley and DailyDeli Manager Lisa Spry commented:

“We felt we should do more as a store,so we applied to Blakemore Foundationfor match funding and managed to getanother £400 for Linda and the store’sfundraising bringing her total to £875.

“Linda was overwhelmed by thegenerosity of the Blakemore Foundationso we invited her in for a photo and tocollect her cheques.”

(L-R) Rachel Wright, Grace Wood, Rachel Ward,Linda Gerrard and Lisa Spry

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Winter 2016/17

In the Spot l i ghtWinter 2016/17

In the Spot l i ght

In the Spotlight

Donna Cooper-Area Manager

Janine Parker-Store ManagerBassingbourn

What does your job involve?

Developing and over-seeing an area of stores; maximising profits,managing and supporting a fantastic team of managers andmaintaining a positive mental attitude!

What is your idea of a perfect day?

Sunshine and cider

Where is your favourite place?

Home

If you won a lot of money, what would you do with it?

Add to my Mulberry bag collection and buy a perfect house in thecountry with a nice car to go outside

Which three people would you invite to your dreamdinner party?

Prince Harry, Ricky Gervais and Taylor Swift

What is your favourite book?

The stories of Winnie the Pooh

Who is your favourite star of film or TV?

Jennifer Anniston

What is your favourite song?

Beyonce – Crazy in love

Who makes you laugh?

John Dyson – funniest man I know

If you could be born in any year, which one would youchoose?

1985 – Wouldn’t change a thing

What is the best thing you have ever achieved?

Buying my first house at 21

Which superpower would you like to have and why?

Time manipulation

What is your most vivid childhood memory?

Appearing on Rosie and Jim

What is your biggest regret to date?

Not spending enough time with my Grandparents

When you were younger, what did you want to be whenyou grew up?

A cashier in a shop

What three words best describe you?

Loyal, Driven and a Worrier

What three words best describe how you would like to be?

Confident, Successful and Fulfilled


The day to day running of my store and overseeing the running ofGreggs. Making sure the store achieves all its budgets.


A sunny day at the beach with friends and alcohol


Thailand


Spend it. I would also travel the world and have a collection ofsupercars


Melissa McCarthy, James Corden, Bradley Cooper


The girl with the dragon tattoo


Will Smith


No-One-Alicia Keys


Lee Evans


1986


Winning Store of the year 2016


Be able to see the future


Trying to strangle my brother!


I don’t have regrets only mistakes


A Policewoman


Perfectionist, Trustworthy, Considerate


Not As Stubborn


Store Manager Bassingbourn


Being on a beach with my family


Cornwall


Clear my mortgage and make sure my family were sorted, and goaround the world


George Michael, Aiden Turner, Michael McIntyre


Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela


Patrick Swayze


Father Figure – George Michael


My husband


Anytime in 1950s


Top student of the year two years running at college


Invisibility – I could sneak up on people and cause havoc


Visiting family in Worthing and getting up very early to drive acrossLondon, with my grandparents


Not going to University when I had the chance


An accountant/solicitor or Cabin Crew


Funny, Sensitive, Caring


Clever, Rich, Happy

Stacey Aitken Best-Store ManagerLeegomery

Katie Lazenby-Post Office supervisor

What does your job involve?Serving customers, banking personal/ business, dealing with peoplestravel needs and chatting to our favourite pensioners making surethey are all ok, helping them out with anything they needWhat is your idea of a perfect day?Would have to be a morning watching my son and husband playingrugby, then an afternoon shopping and having a Starbucks with mydaughter, then to finish off with a nice family meal out with lots ofwine and puddingWhere is your favourite place?Centre Parcs holds a lot of happy memories, we have been takingthe kids since they were born. Also Greece, I love the food and thepeopleIf you won a lot of money, what would you do with it?I would take my family on a long holiday somewhere exotic like theMaldives or Dubai, swish hotels and fancy cocktailsWhich three people would you invite to your dreamdinner party?I would only invite one person so there would be more food andwine for me, but who it is well that would be tellingWhat is your favourite book?The Notebook by Nicola Sparks some of my favourite quotes arein that book, it is a beautiful readWho is your favourite star of film or TV?Trevor Eve, Idris Elba, Rachel Mcadams, Robert Deniro What is your favourite song?All You Need Is LoveWho makes you laugh?My husband always manages to make me smile even though I’musually laughing at him not with himIf you could be born in any year, which one would youchoose?The year I was born 1984What is the best thing you have ever achieved?My children they are my everything. Being a mum is definitely mygreatest accomplishment. Winning Post Office Sales Assistant of theYear is something I will always be proud ofWhich superpower would you like to have and why?I would like to be able to read minds; it would make life a lot easierand cure my noseyness and curiosityWhat is your most vivid childhood memory?British seaside holidays, bbq'ing in the rain at the beach at SandsendWhat is your biggest regret to date?Not spending enough time with my dad, you can never get timeback so use it wiselyWhen you were younger, what did you want to be whenyou grew up?I wanted to be a vet or an actress and I ended up in a Post Office.Sometimes I feel like an agony aunt, psychiatrist/ doctor with all thethings we get told and asked at workWhat three words best describe you?Kind, Caring and a WorrierWhat three words best describe how you would like to be?Confident, Carefree and Stress-free

Winter 2016/17

Awards

38 39

Winter 2016/17

Awards

Your Customer Care AwardsDo you have a member of the team that goes that extra

mile and deserves a Customer Care Award?

Email [email protected] / Visit: www.afblakemore.com/blakemore-retail/customer-care-awardor post your nomination to Blakemore Retail Training Support,

Longacres Industrial Estate, Rose Hill, Willenhall WV13 2JP

Nominating someone is easy:

Why not nominate them for Your Customer Care Award? Just tell us why you think they deserve it. Staff can be nominated for an awardby a customer or a colleague. A monthly winner will receive £50 worth of high street vouchers.

WinnerHollie-Anna Sheppard- Ramsgate

Runners up:Eileen Davis- St Clears

Helen Vinson- Taylors Avenue

Sales Assistant of the Year

Sales Assistant of the YearAwards 2016Blakemore Retail presented its 2016 Sales Assistant of the Year Awards at theTelford International Centre in October.The Sales Assistant of the Year Awardsrecognised individuals who have shownoutstanding commitment to customerservice and their community.

Staff were nominated for the awards bytheir area manager, and then each finalist

attended an interview with a member ofBlakemore Retail’s senior team.

Each winner was awarded with £500worth of high street vouchers withrunners up receiving £250 in vouchers. Inaddition, all finalists enjoyed a three

course meal and entertainment atBlakemore Trade Partner’s SRS GalaDinner.

WinnerKatie Lazenby- Sherburn

Runners up:Jacqueline Stringer- Porthcawl

Julie Colman- Quay Road

Post Office Assistant of the Year

WinnerMatthew Davies- Ponthir

Runners up:Dawn Jones- Thurcroft

Carol Wright- Bromsgrove

Food to Go Sales Assistant of the Year

July 2015

The team at Ludlow

August 2015

Mia Banaly- Kidderminster

September 2015

The team at Terminus Road

January 2016

The team at Coedpoeth

February 2016

The team at Winthorpe

March 2016

Tracey Triggs- Warboys

April 2016

Andrew Bradley- Two Dales

May 2016

Karen Crutchley-

Post Office Area Manager

June 2016

The team at Taylors Avenue

Congratulations to these recentCustomer Care award winners:

Teresa -Ludlow

AndrewBradley -

Two Dales

The Team atTaylors Avenue

Mia Banaly -Kidderminster

Sarah Edwards -Coedpoeth

40 41

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v iceWinter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice

Over the last 12 months many Blakemore Retail colleagues have reached long service milestones from three to 45 years. Thankyou to all of them for their continued service.

3 Years

Celebrating Long Service3 Years continued

Susan Streets -Manchester Airport T2

Tracy Aldridge -Herlington

Sean Garvey -Warndon

Stella Edubri -Trowbridge

Warangporn Fletcher -Bannerbrook

Zoe Hulme -Forsbrook

Yvonne Jones -Batchley

Julie Arnold -Whitestone

Judith Hollett -Cefn Glas

Mike Ashford -Olton

Michelle McGinney -Manchester Airport T2

Michelle Diston -Bannerbrook

Marianne Harris -Risca Post Office

Alison Meachin -Beddau

Alex Barrett -Llandaff

Andrea White -Coalville

Andy Lisle -Daventry Road

Andrew McMillan -Droitwich

Andrew Hadley -Operations Support

Angela Davies -Brunswick Road

Ann Marie Hewitt -Buckley

Jan Campbell -Herlington

Jane McLeod -Gwersyllt

Jayne Coales -Raunds

Claire Tonks -Brewood

Colin Postans -Lakeside

Donna Powell - SubwayFresh Foods Coach

Clare Shilston -Abbots Langley

Emma Smith -Kirkgate

James McLean -Herlington

Ian Watt -Daventry Road

Kelly Hunnisett -Pontyclun

Jane Moulding -Bocking Lane Post Office

John Martin -Gwersyllt

Joanne Kennedy -Beddau

Janet Taylor -Tenbury Wells

Karen Emberton -Great Wyrley Post Office

Katie Lazenby -Sherburn

Karla West -Hay Lane

Kristian Bodin -Wordsley

Laura Kennedy -Thorngumbald

Lisa Smith -Llanishen Fach

Lewis Davey -Ponthir

Lorraine Griffin -Forsbrook

Louise Hall -Gwersyllt

Lydia Griffiths -Beddau

Lydia Crouch -Bannerbrook

Paul Rees -Beddau

Nikki Winson -Raunds

Nadine Hardwick -Droitwich

Rachel Ward -Sleaford

Rebecca Davies -Battlefield

Carl Host -Westbridge

Carolyn Watton -Battlefield

Becky Norton -Tenbury Wells

Ann Thomas -Ponthir

5 Years

Ben McLaughlin -Store Development

Alex Gordon -Broseley

Daniel Barker -Barton

Carley Griffiths -Trowbridge

42 43

Winter 2016/17


Long Ser v ice

Celebrating Long Service

Luke O'Gara -Manchester Airport T3

Lorna Painter -Cefn Glas

Matt Davis -Bishops Castle

Peter Bebb -Store Development

Martyn Jennings -Ross-on-Wye

Mark Woodward -Store Development

Michele Verallo -New Road

Quiser Mahmood -Manchester Airport T1

Stephanie Booth -Upton

Tim Diprose -Store Development

Sindy Davis -Kidderminster

Stacey Osborne -Cae Glas Road

Sarah Holmes -Ross-on-Wye

Sharon Oakley -Broseley

Rachel Squires -Inkersall

Tracy West -Two Dales

Vicky Williams -Wombourne

Trish Howat -Battlefield

Lynda Howlett -Gwersyllt

5 Years continued 5 Years continued

10 Years

Darren Rees -Aberystwyth

David Dearn -Brewood

Dan Angelides -Walsall Manor Hospital Cafe

Aleksandra Klos -Llandaff

Alphonso George -Manchester Airport T3

Amanda Thompson -Prestatyn

Andrew Stringer -New Waltham

Belinda Lewis -Much Wenlock

Alison Campbell -Ewenny Road

Brigid Evans -Penyffordd

Carol Stephenson -Welland Road

Carrie Cross -Caergwrle

Chalene Barclay -Ponthir

Carl John - ManagerSt Clears

Colin Williams -John Lennon Airport

Charlotte Durston -Llangefni

Adam Creighton -Market Harborough

Alan White -Whitestone

Linda Bourne -Forsbrook

Lindsay Younger -Buckley

Leanne Bodin -Wordsley

Laura Harris -Beddau

Kerriann Cross -Sedbury

Jennie Baxter -Kirkgate

Julie Osbourne -Nuthall Road

Jordan Mason -Walton

Karen Clarke -Great Wryley

Jane Wood -Bakewell

Jane Ellis -Kidderminster

Jackie Hibbert -Brumby Corner

Jackie Long -Russells Hall

Jamie Parkman -Subway Fresh FoodsCoach

Jacqui Evans -Ecclesall Road

Issa Madani -Manchester Airport T2

Helen Waugh -Wells

Emma Arber -Bassingbourn

Gemma Hornby -Sleaford

Emma Sanderson -Gwersyllt

Diane Perkins -Broseley Post Office

David Savage -Kidderminster

Debra Lewis -Hay On Wye

44 45

Winter 2016/17


Long Ser v ice


Shaun Humphries -Rhayader

Sean Barry -Cefn Glas

Sarah Parker -Bentley

Sarah Milae -John Lennon Airport

Sarah Cargius -Gresford

Sue Mace -Buckley

Triona Sharples -Elton

Tara Galvin -Porthmadog

Tracey Ward -Daventry Road

Susan Jalpeth -Caernarfon

Steve Rushton -Store Development

Jonathan Stokes -Baglan

Wayne Morant -Whitestone

15 Years

10 Years continued

Alison Evans -Bishops Castle

Angela Davies -Merthyr Tydfil

Avril Burton -Llanmartin

Adam Brine -Bedale

Carol John -Neath

Carol Westwick -Wordsley

Carol Clark -Bassaleg Road

Beckey Thomas -Machynlleth

Claire Pearson -Trowbridge

Christine Wills -South Woodham Ferrers

Christine Lewis -New Road

Samantha MacKman -Long Sutton

Rachel Cooper -Llanharry

Phillip Smith -Penyffordd

Pauline O'Sullivan -Brumby Corner

Paula McDonald -John Lennon Airport

Michelle Rousell -Gornal Wood

Nicola Emery -Tonyrefail

Monica Dooher -Newbold

Louise Morris -Trowbridge

Louise Bryant -Raunds

Lorna Lovell - SubwayFresh Foods Coach

Martyn Morgan -Support Manager

Mary Roberts -Machynlleth

Michael Clark -Raunds

Matthew Western -Crewe

Linda Williams -Buckley

Lee Rogers -Oystermouth

Linda MacDougall -Bradley Cross Roads

Lesley Evans -Monkmoor

Karen Bailey -John Lennon Airport

Kelly Jones -Welland Road

John Allison -Herlington

Joe Simpson -Store Development

Judith Telford -Humberston

Joanne WardWalsall Manor Hospital

Iqbal Jaffer -Welland Road

Jane Pritchard -Lapwood

Jayne Church -Trowbridge

Jo Sharples -Chirk

Joanne Pullman -Llanharry

Hayley Parsons -Head Office

Elaine Curtis -Baglan

Hasan Saleheen -Queensway

Patricia Williams -Penlan

Derek Harper -Llanberis

Diane Udale -Crewe

46

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice

47

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice


Cael Williams -Bettws

Brian Owen -Loughor

Cheryl Martin -Bettws

Carole Sellars -Melton Mowbray

Carole Colloby -Brunswick Road

Carol Soden -Leominster

Claire England -Ashgate

Danielle Borrmann -Hay On Wye

Ian Bailes -Area Manager

Geraldine McCarthy -Aberavon

Emma Gibbs -Intake

David Cooper -Ferndale

Debbie Dukes -Gornal Wood

15 Years continued 15 Years continued

20 Years

Ali Owen -Chirk

Amanda Campbell -Chepstow Road

Alison Martin -Whitestone

Ann Thomas -Cefn Fforest

Beverley East -Porthcawl

Beverly Shaw -Lawnswood

Yvonne Traylor -Ton Pentre

Tracy Peters -Penyffordd

Tracey Wilkinson -Warndon

Jayne Greenhaf -Malpas Road

Tracey Gibbs -Coalville

Susan Picken -Brewood

Richard Baggaley -Ashgate

Richard Ferrero -Amlwch

Samantha Stenhouse -New Waltham

Shirley Denison -Keelby

Richard Longney -Ponthir

Stella Evans -Bishops Castle

Layla O'Donnell -Bocking Lane

Lynne Longson -Thurcroft

Linda Thorpe -Newbold

Nicola Campbell -Pontycymmer

Paul Mitchelle -Russells Hall

Paul Houldsworth -Kirkgate

Kulasingam Kugananthan -Queensway

Katie Barrett -Rhayader

Julie Wilsea -Winterton

Kevin Hall -Cae Glas Road

Kay Cox -Cardiff Road

Jon Diprose -Fourways

Jo Pinches -Penyffordd

Jeanette Proctor -Ponthir

Julie Goodall -Wombourne

Janice Hill -Bargoed

Janet Lewis -Coedpoeth

Jackie Thompson -Trowbridge

Janet Brown -Gornal Wood

Jackie Goldring -Prestatyn

Hazel Parry -Gresford

Donna Malkin -Fresh Foods Manager

Emma Costello -Droitwich

Eileen Greensill -Brewood

Elaine Millard -Patchway

Debbie McGowan -Pot House Lane

Debbie Kew -Sutton on Sea

Craig Newboult -Wollaston

Debby Evans -Rhydyfelin

48

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice

49

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice


25 Years

25 Years continued

Sharon Morris -Tenbury Wells

Shaun Diamond -Store Development

Shirley Norton -Brunswick Road

Susan Baggallay -Glascote Heath

Susan Mitchell -Russells Hall

Angela Dixon -Kirkgate

Debbie Jones -Malpas Road

Margaret Turner -Bannerbrook

Tracey Day -New Inn

John Sikora -Pelsall

Deborah Lomas -Great Wyrley

Derek Clifton -Finance Director

Gail Crowley -Area Manager

Gareth Bowdlwr -Glascote Heath

Janet Green -Wollaston

30 Years

Nettie Lawrence -Cardigan

Norma Scarsbrook -Glascote Heath

Owen Davies -Regional Manager

Rebecca Ferrand -New Waltham

Sharon Hornsby -Westway

Jayne Wright -Laceby Lodge

Jenny Davies -Beddau

Jo Brind -Prestatyn

Joanne Martin -Caerleon Road

Julie Sharpe -Newark

Linda Gwyther -Penlan

Natalie Williams -Mount Crescent

Loraine Hackett -Mount Crescent

Lynne Charlsworth -Stannington Road

Christine Grey -Chirk

Daphne Williams -Llanharry

Dave Smith -Wordsley

Dee Vanes -Wordsley

Elizabeth Berridge -Porthcawl Post Office

Jackie Bryan -Caerleon Road

Abbie Hudson -Melton Mowbray

Alison Lain -Staplehurst

Ann Dodd -South Woodham Ferrers

Carol Cooper -Quay Road

Carol Davies -Pontyclun

Chris Bacon - Store Operations Director

Sharon Pagett -Wordsley

Susan Mills -Filton

Shirey Rigo -Barton

Tina Wilding -Maerdy

Tara Stone -Filton

Valerie English -Halesworth

Mandy Holohan -Cotteridge

Rhiann Lacey -Abertridwr

Penelope Rose -Aberavon

Nicola Jones -Dyserth

Sharon Noakes -Lapwood

Linda Moore Bettws -Bettws

Lyn (Patricia) Preece -Broseley

Louise Fletcher -Great Wyrley

Mandy Harvey -Chepstow Road

Jane Beaumont -Stannington

Jayne Runham -St Ives

Julie Zennadi -Ystrad Mynach

Kelly Brunning -Bury St Edmunds

Winning Team: Nigel Bostock’s ‘Casuals’

Runners Up: Dave Parry’s ‘Ken Dodd’sDads Dogs Dead’

The five-a-side competition, which tookplace at Lutterworth Town Football Clubin July, raised a grand total of £1,358 forthe good cause. The annual event was organised by StoreOperations Director Chris Bacon andOperations Support & Marketing Co-ordinator Caroline Wills. This year, Nigel Bostock’s ‘Casuals’ werecrowned tournament champions whilstDave Parry’s ‘Ken Dodd’s Dads DogsDead’ came runners up.

Football Tournament Kicks Off AgainThis summer saw the return of Blakemore Retail’s charity football tournament, in aid of the NSPCC.

50

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice

51

Winter 2016/17

Long Ser v ice


Team Westwaycelebrating acombined200 years oflong service

Dale Thomas -10 years (Right)

Rhys Burgess -15 years (Left)

From Baglan

Jackie Clarke -20 years (Left)

Diane Ford -10 years (Right)

From Pot House Lane

Sarah Hoskings -5 years (Left)

Louise James -5 years (Right)

From Bulwark

Julie Jones -Westway

Linda Carrington -Thorngumbald

Paul Davies -Gorseinon

Eirwen Parry -Amlwch

Paul Norris -Halesworth

Risa Drujich -Westway

40 Years

Hugh Williams -Prestatyn

45 Years

Julie Burden -Tenbury Wells

35 Years

30 Years continued

Joyce Grey -Penlan

Jayne Robbins -Aberavon

John Kelly -Garden City

Dawn Wood -Westway

Gwenfron Evans -Machynlleth

Sandra Buffry -Porthcawl

Tracey Smith -Monkton

Von Morris -Westway

Marion Dawson -Wordsley

Margaret Lucas -Lampeter

Pat Field -Treherbert

Matt Teague - FreshFoods Development Director

Lesley Male -Tonyrefail

Group Photos

Lee Cordall -Westway

Julie Blundell -Bentley

Julie Starbrook -Newark

Julie Wathan -Aberavon

52 53

Winter 2016/17

Lotter yLotter yWinter 2016/17

June 2015Draw

Staff Lottery Winners

John Dyson -Area Manager

Owen Davies -Regional Manager

£100Winner£1000

Winner

Catherine Heward -Scartho

£500Winner

Donna Tallents -Wath

£100Winner

Chelsea Leo -Welland Road

£250Winner

Linda Thorpe -Newbold

£100Winner

Lisa Rowland -Ramsgate

£100Winner

Hollie- Anna Sheppard -Ramsgate

£50Winner

September 2015Draw

Kellie Orchard Reid -Amlwch

Anna Lena Misewicz -Valley

£100Winner£100

Winner

Carly Morgan -Newtown

£100Winner

Pat Williams -Garden City

Lesley Shakespear -Russells Hall

£500Winner

£50Winner

March 2016Draw

Lorraine Gray -Grantham

Emily Yardley -Wordsley

Carol Faulkes -Brumby Corner

£100Winner £1000

Winner

Gemma Wakeman -Bromsgrove

£250Winner

Glenville Campbell -Coseley

£100Winner

Wendy Hershey -Barmouth

£100Winner

Susan Williams -Lawnswood

£100Winner

Rhian Jones -Bala

£100Winner

Dawn Philips -Cardigan

£1000Winner£100

Winner

Ruth Mutton -Regional Manager

£500Winner

Elizabeth Purse -Sleaford

£100Winner

Jeanette Sims -Sleaford

£1000Winner

Rowena Froggatt -Machynlleth

£250Winner

Patricia Holden -Olton

£100Winner

Sheena Guest -Penyffordd

£100Winner

Nicola Wakeman -Wollaston

£100Winner

Valerie Jones -Bodelwyddan

£500Winner

Sarah Silcock -Head Office

£100Winner

Sarah Rickhuss -Walsall Manor Hospital

£1000Winner

Sharon Steele -Ludlow

£100Winner

Angela Coleman -Aberystwyth

£250Winner

Edith Kane -Shawbirch

£100Winner

Helen Mason -Tenbury Wells

£100Winner

Catherine Lumb -Crosspool Post Office

£100Winner

Tracy Jackson -Melton Mowbray

£50Winner

Sarah Silcock -Head Office

£50Winner

Kelsey Hill -Westway

£50Winner

December 2015Draw

Becky Thomas -Machynlleth

Adam Price -Retail Trainer

£250Winner

£100Winner

John Kelly -Area Manager

£50Winner

Judy Saywell -Shawbirch

£100Winner

Josephine Johnson -Louth

£100Winner

Carol Cooper -Quay Road

£1000Winner

E Menna Rottie -Cardigan

£50Winner

Linda Magee -Newbold

£50Winner

Ellen Williams -Amlwch

£50Winner

Rita Wallis -Newark

£50Winner

Josephine Johnson -Louth

£50Winner

Dale Williams -Stonydelph

£50Winner

September 2016Draw

June 2016Draw

Margaret Turner -Bannerbrook

£100Winner

Seren Evans -Colwyn Bay

£100Winner

Lisa Spry -Sleaford

£50Winner

Nigel Roberts -Dyserth

£50Winner

Amanda Turner -Kirkgate

£50Winner

Sarah Patricia March -Whitestone

£50Winner

Stewart Waldron -Post Office

£50Winner

Trish Worcester -Winthorpe

£50Winner

Cristol Pullen -Ashgate

£50Winner

Michelle Phipps -Bulkington

£50Winner

Gillian Williams -Fourways

£50Winner

Marie Buckley -Bradley Cross Post Office

£50Winner

Carrie- Ann Cross -Caergwrle

£50Winner

Kerrie Bareham -Glemsford

£50Winner

The Staff Lottery draws take place four times per year: March, June, September andDecember. If you would like to be in with a chance of winning, please complete theStaff Lottery application form that can be found in the ‘Your Care Programme’folder on SharePoint.

Tracy Jane Parrish -Stonydelph

£100Winner

Lindsay Priestly -Crowland

£250Winner

Rochelle Jones -Rhos

£100Winner

Anna Molyneaux -Rhos

£100Winner

Bernise Warren -Dolgellau Post Office

£100Winner

Jonathon Young -Warboys

£50Winner

Kerry Lloyd -Hillsborough

£50Winner

Gillian Williams -Fourways

£50Winner

Sharon Roe -Chapel St. Leonards

£50Winner

Paul Houldsworth -Kirkgate

£50Winner

Carol Williams -Dolgellau

£500Winner

Alison Martin -Burbage

£500Winner

Winter 2016/17

NewsWinter 2016/17

News

54 55

Retirements

Marriages

Birthdays

CelebrationsIf you’ve got a photo you’d like tosubmit to It’s Your News please email itto [email protected]

Here are a few we’ve receivedsince the last magazine:

Congratulations to Regional ManagerBrian Cherry and his wife Janicewho got married on 8th July.

Congratulations to acting AreaManager Mark Bostock whomarried his wife Maggie in October2015.

Many happy returns to RegionalManager Mark Podmore whocelebrated his 50th Birthday earlierthis year.

Births

Congratulations to Tenbury WellsStore Manager Dave Powell whowelcomed grandaughter Lillie Ann intothe world on 7th September 2016weighing 5lb 14oz.

Congratulations to Post Office AreaManager Kelly Loxley who gave birthto a daughter, Keira Lee weighing 9lb15oz at 6.04am on 26th May 2016

Congratulations to Chantal Doylefrom Batchley who gave birth to ason, Kylo at 12.44am on 29th May2016.

CompetitionCorner

WIN £50Worth of Vouchers!

Your Chance to

For this edition’s CompetitionCorner we’re challenging you tocome up with a caption for thephoto below of Blakemore RetailRegional Manager Brian Cherry andArea Manager Mark Wilkinson.

Whoever submits thebest entry will receive£50 worth of giftvouchers for a storeof their choice.

Please submit your entry to Operations Support and MarketingManager Sarah Deakin via email or post. Make sure you include thefollowing details:

Your name:

Your suggestion:

Your store or department:

Telephone number:

Send your entries to Sarah Deakin, Blakemore Retail,

Longacres Industrial Estate, Rose Hill, Willenhall WV13 2JP

[email protected]

Caption MeIn the last edition of CompetitionCorner we asked you to come up witha caption for this photo of StoreOperations Director Chris Bacon.Tracey Wilkinson from Warndon wasawarded £50 worth of gift vouchersfor her winning caption:

‘This will help with thewaste figures’

Caption Me

Maureen Birks retired from Inkersallin June after 20 years’ service

Sandra Stanford from Bentleyretired in March after 13 years’service

Pauline Stokes retired from Oltonin April after 14 years’ service

Regional Manager John Brooksretired in March after 13 years’service

Enid Morris from Dolgellau retiredin Sepember 2016 after 27 years withthe business

Olwen Cook & Christine Lynchboth retired from the Valley store inMay 2016 after 21 years & 18 yearsservice

to all Blakemore Retail employees and customers who have raised an astonishing £276,000 for the NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe.

programme in 2015/16.

This money will allow us to reach thousands of

primary school children to give them the knowledge and

understanding to stay safe from abuse and neglect.

If you would like to volunteer for this fantastic service,

please contact Liz Bell, Community Affairs Officer on 0121 568 2910 or [email protected] to find out more!

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A big thank you

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ISSUE 6 Winter 2016/17

the magazine for blakemore retail …...issue 6 winter 2016/17the magazine for blakemore retail...

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