Spar celebrated 50 years since the opening of its first store in the UK with a huge gathering at a top London venue, where more than 2,000 Spar retailers, central office personnel and industry leaders came together to mark the significant occasion in style.

The gala dinner, at which the entertainment was provided by top comedian Peter Kay, was just one of the

high points in a year which has seen the convenience store group take a leading role at the European Indoor Championships in Birmingham, and support a Rooted in the Community campaign which emphasised Spar’s responsibility to protecting the environment for future generations by planting 2,700 trees in local communities all over the UK. Also in 2007, to mark its half century, Spar thanked its customers for their support and reminded them that Spar is the destination for good value and promotions with a fantastic Golden Deals promotion plus 50th anniversary plus birthday parties all over the UK to raise funds for the NSPCC and Children 1st.

Jerry Marwood, Spar’s managing director, commented: “Spar is unique in being largely an organisation of independent businesses and one which brings added value to local communities everywhere. The Spar ethos of working together is as vital an element of our business now as it was in 1957 and is what gives us the confidence in our ability to deliver great stores for the next 50 years.”