Celebrations as SPAR Bowness launches in the Lake District

On the day of the general election, the launch of SPAR Bowness delivered an equally transformative result for the local community.

Located in Rayrigg Road and only a stone’s throw from the shore of Lake Windermere, the SPAR convenience store has breathed new life into the former Rayrigg Motors site.

As the clock ticked around to 11am, Matt Staniek from the Save Windermere campaign and Jonny Cormack from Blackwell Sailing cut the ribbon to officially open the store.

They were joined by Dominic Hall, Joint Managing Director of James Hall & Co. Ltd, owner of SPAR Bowness, Area Manager for James Hall & Co. Ltd, James Watt, and SPAR Bowness Store Manager Chris Warriner.

Blackwell Sailing, which provides sailing opportunities for people with disabilities, and Save Windermere, which is campaigning to stop sewage being pumped into the lake, are two of three local organisations to receive donations from SPAR ahead of the opening.

Windermere Rugby Club has also received a donation ahead of the new season and an agreement is in place for Windermere Food Bank to have a collection point in the store.

SPAR Bowness’ comprehensive offer includes highlight store features in a Graham Eyes butchers, Clayton Park deli, and Cheeky Coffee machine, and there is also an area dedicated to slush and ice cream products.

Fresh produce is available to buy loose, enabling customers to purchase what they need, and a wide range of Cumbrian and Lakeland products are prominent in the store. These sit alongside a strong range of big-name brands at low prices, and a well-stocked beer, wines and spirts section.

A select range of kayaks and paddle boards are also stocked in the store for those wishing to venture out onto Lake Windermere and get active on the water.

Outside of the store is an English Lakes branded ice cream van adjacent to a four-pump Shell livery forecourt, an EV charge point, air and water machine, and customer parking.

Opening hours are between 6am and midnight, seven days a week, and construction of the store has included local Lake District slate in keeping with the surrounding area.

Karen Brayfield was one of the first customers through the doors. She said: “My husband and I have lived in Bowness for 24 years and I really think this is what the village needed. The parking is a massive plus and the fuel at the price is a winner.

“The variety of local products is fantastic, and it will be really useful for our bed and breakfast business. I also help a lady do her shopping every week. There is a great range in the store to do this and it is also accessible with trolleys.”

Kathryn Street, another of the first store customers, said: “I spend about a third of the year in Bowness and there is nothing like this in the village. I’m so impressed with the store. I am familiar with SPAR stores where I am from, but this is unlike anything I have been in before and it is so much bigger.

“The butcher’s counter is brilliant, and I also really like the deli and what it offers. There is also a good range of fresh food, and it is a great addition to Bowness.”

Niels Dekkers, Retail Development Director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: “We have worked with the SPAR UK team in Harrow to make a few tweaks to our normal format, and we are thrilled with the results of those efforts.

“We feel that we have a range in-store that will cater for visitors to the Lake District as well as support the core community of Bowness who live in the village throughout the year.

“Digital screens in-store and electronic shelf edge labels create a clean and visually impressive display of our offer, and the store has a spacious feel due to great planning which has maximised the space available.

“Aligned to SPAR’s brand pillars of Nurture Our Neighbourhoods and Passionate About Local, we have been pleased to support several good causes locally before our opening, and we felt it important to include them in the launch of SPAR Bowness too.”

Ian Taylor, Retail and Brand Development Director at SPAR UK, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with the team at James Hall & Co. Ltd on this new format.

“We have looked to evolve the model and improved the flow and visual impact of the store. Bowness is a fantastic location for a flagship store and are confident local shoppers will find all they need at SPAR Bowness.”

James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.

For more information about James Hall & Co. Ltd, please visit www.jameshall.co.uk.