Expansion at Newshops is continuing with the independent retail chain preparing to open three more c-stores. Chief executive Jeremy Symonds said two of the outlets would be opened on brownfield sites the chain planned to redevelop. The third project has seen Newshops acquire the shop next to one of its CTN outlets to create a new c-store. Symonds said Newshops now had 40 c-stores. And he added: "I don't think it will be long before we get up to the 50 mark." In addition to acquisitions, the chain's other priority, said Symonds, was to appoint a successor to Jerry Marwood who joins Spar UK as MD early next month. "We will be looking to make an appointment very soon," he said. Symonds also said that Newshops' c-stores ­ which trade as Smile Local ­ put in a strong Easter performance. Like-for-like sales were up more than 3% during the period despite fierce price cutting on Easter eggs by the multiples. {{NEWS }}