Spar independent retailers Nigel and Sue Masters are retiring from convenience retail after 44 years in the business.
The couple, who have owned Spar Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire for 40 of those years, first joined Spar through Preston-based distributor James Hall & Co. Ltd in 1982, acquiring a Spar store in Clayton-le-Moors after selling their independent premises in Nelson.
Nigel and Sue began with just one unit in Oswaldtwistle in a parade of shops in 1986. Over the course of 40 years, they gradually expanded across more units up to today’s 3,000 sq.ft. Spar which occupies the whole building.
As they move into retirement, the Spar Oswaldtwistle business has been acquired by fellow Spar North of England retailer and Northern Guild Committee member, Phil Bridge, who also has stores in Blackburn and Clitheroe.
Community hub
Spar Oswaldtwistle become a hub of its community. It has a comprehensive convenience offer, particularly fresh products, supported by traditional grocery lines and a strong beers, wines and spirits range, sitting alongside a footfall-driving Post Office counter and dedicated Parcel Hub.
Nigel and Sue have also done their utmost to put back into Oswaldtwistle what they’ve received in support from customers. This includes sponsorship of four local football teams, a darts team, school discos, sports days, Oswaldtwistle Carnival and many other local charities and good causes over four decades.
The couple’s support for Marie Curie, SPAR’s national charity partner, also places them as the leading independent Spar North of England store for funds raised since the partnership began in 2017.
Retirement has given Nigel and Sue a chance to reflect on their years in convenience retail and the support they have received from James Hall & Co. Ltd across 44 years.
Nigel said: “It’s been one hell of a ride, and this week is one of mixed emotions. I don’t think there’s a word to properly define how we both feel. Retail is in our blood, and it has been my life since I was 17.
“Looking back, retail has changed beyond recognition. The early years were very different from where we are today when we priced products using a label gun which was a long-winded task and I’d get up at 3am to source fresh produce from Preston wholesale market.
“We now have fresh deliveries six days a week, an air-conditioned store, home deliveries, and modern store technology - we’ve seen it all. We are proud to have been part of it every step of the way.
New beginnings
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve the people of Oswaldtwistle for four amazing decades, and we have some fantastic memories that we will cherish. We also extend our best wishes to Phil Bridge, a well-respected Spar retailer as he takes on the store.”
Bridge added: “I wish Nigel and Sue well in their retirement and congratulate them for an outstanding 44 years in retail, and 40 years at Spar Oswaldtwistle. It’s a proud day for me to take on this much-loved community store, and I’m delighted to take it forward into the future.
“I’m going to make few changes in store right away. A new fascia will be going up, and electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs) will be installed. I’m going to switch a few things around in-store too, to refresh the feel of it ahead of a planned full store refurbishment in the near future.”
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