Midlands Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore has recruited the first pubs to branch out into convenience retailing as part of its ‘pub as the hub’ initiative to encourage rural businesses to join Spar.

Retail director Elwyn Davies said two pubs in rural Shropshire and Anglesey would start trading with Spar in the next six months. Another four were in advanced discussions about joining up, he said.

For more on this story, read The Grocer November 2 2002, p6.