1 minute read
Store Openings
by 55 North
JAMES HALL & CO
Forecourt on prime Darlington gateway gets welcome revamp
The new 3,000sq ft Spar and Shell-branded forecourt has created 38 jobs for local residents.
James Hall & Co, Spar UK’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the north of England, has revamped a service station on one of Darlington’s busiest main roads.
The new 3,000sq ft Spar and Shellbranded forecourt, on the site of Haughton Road Service Station, has created 38 jobs for Darlington residents.
The overhauled site features six fuel pumps, a jet wash, air and water machines, an ATM, and customer parking.
The store features a Graham Eyes butchers counter, Clayton Park Bakery deli, and a range of refreshment options including Cheeky Coffee, F’Real milkshakes and smoothies, and a Tango Ice Blast machine. There is also a comprehensive range of fresh foods, food-to-go, and beers, wines and spirits.
Local resident Andy Inglis was one of the first 50 customers through the doors to claim his ‘tea for free’ giveaway. He said: “This store is a godsend for the community. It was virtually derelict before and the redevelopment has really brightened up the area.”
He added: “The range is great, particularly the butchers, the bakery and the greeting cards. Of course, you can get your fuel for your car too. It is ideal for me living just around the corner.”
Fiona Drummond, Company Stores Director at James Hall & Co, said: “While we have a strong presence of company-owned stores in the northeast of the country and independent retailers under the Spar symbol, we have never had a presence in central Darlington. This was a key attraction to our investment in the Haughton Road Service Station site.
“Our modern store really does look tremendous, and its location is fantastic on one of Darlington’s main gateways, with a good mix of employers and residential customers close by.”
The Darlington store is James Hall & Co’s 152nd company-owned Spar store and its 41st forecourt.
