Central Convenience Stores has acquired its 116th store after snapping up a forecourt site in North Devon.

Combe Martin Supermarket, currently under a Premier fascia, is the chain’s second store in North Devon after it bought Sue’s newsagents last year, also in the village of Combe Martin, near Ilfracombe.

The Palmer & Harvey-owned chain is hoping to open more stores in the area soon as it continues is expansion in the South West.

Commercial director Tony Start said: “Our ethos is to develop stores for the benefit of the local community and give them an appealing shopping experience without having to travel too far.

“We have a strong presence across the South West and this will further strengthen our position in North Devon. The future is very exciting for Central Convenience Stores and we hope to open further stores in the area soon.

“We are open seven days a week and we offer the best national brands alongside locally sourced products.”

The site was sold by commercial property agents Charles Darrow on behalf of Andy West, who once owned 50 petrol filling stations in the South West.

Central acquired Isle of Wight-based Hunnyhill Stores Group for an undisclosed price in December.