Spar Appleby Westward has teamed up with a Plymouth pasty company to open a joint convenience and food-to-go operation.

The two companies have worked together on a new site in Devonport, Plymouth, to create a store that showcases both of their businesses. Traditional pasty company Ron Dewdney has been in operation for 65 years and previously had one pasty shop, but had plans to expand.

“We had been looking to expand for some time now and the collaboration with Spar Appleby Westward was the perfect way for us to grow our business and have a presence on the high street,” said director Katrina Hanmer.

The 825sq ft store, which is Spar’s first UK dual fascia, sells a full range of beers, wines and spirits, confectionery, soft drinks, news and mags, and tobacco. Hanmer said both businesses complemented each other perfectly. “Traditionally, Spar stores have a food-to-go offering that they run themselves, but this is what we do best so we made sure there wasn’t any crossover between the two of us,” she said. “We spent a lot of time designing the store so that it fits both businesses. The two fascias complement each other as well and really stand out to people passing by.”

The Devonport store opened earlier this month and already Hanmer has plans to expand the partnership further. “We have never done a store opening before but the feedback we’ve had from customers has been very positive,” she said.

“We’re planning to open at least five more joint stores with Spar Appleby Westward over the next five years. Our second store is set to open early in the new year in the neighbouring town of Cremyll. After that we’ll look at expanding on a national scale.”