Newshops, the Bristol-based CTN chain, is accelerating its move into convenience with trials of three new store formats. Director Jerry Marwood told The Grocer that one trial would involve the remodelling of an existing city centre site and another would be a neighbourhood store format. The third trial is of a 3,000 sq ft community store being built from scratch in a "medium-sized Somerset town". Marwood said the range in all three would be a combination of traditional CTN and a convenience offer. The trials are due to start in April. "We are big believers in developing micro marketing [to suit the local community], not developing a convenience format that you slap everywhere," Marwood added. Many of the company's 60 shops already have a convenience offering, trading under the Newstore fascia. But Marwood, who officially takes over as md in March, said the trials formed part of the "big plans" Newshops had for its future. The company is also strengthening its management team. Terry Stacey has arrived from Somerfield as operations manager and the company is in the process of appointing a new buying and marketing manager. {{NEWS }}