Lake District: SPAR opens in Bowness at former Rayrigg Motors site

At 11am on July 4, Matt Staniek from the Save Windemrere campaign and Jonny Cormack from Blackwell Sailing cut the ribbon to officially open the store. 

The store will feature a Graham Eyes butchers, a Clayton Park deli, a Cheeky Coffee machine and an area dedicated to slush and ice cream products.

The garage with the Shell livery outside the SPAR store (Image: SPAR)

It will offer fresh produce and a wide range of Cumbrian and Lakeland products. A select range of kayaks and paddle boards are also stocked in the store for those wishing to venture onto the lake. 

The store will offer fresh produce (Image: SPAR)

Outside of the store is an English Lakes branded ice cream van adjacent to a four-pump Shell livery forecourt, an EV charge point, air and water machine, and customer parking.

The SPAR was described as a 'flagship' store (Image: SPAR)

Opening hours are between 6am and midnight, seven days a week, and construction of the store included local Lake District slate in keeping with the surrounding area.

Karen Brayfield was one of the first customers through the doors. She said: “My husband and I have lived in Bowness for 24 years and I really think this is what the village needed. The parking is a massive plus and the fuel at the price is a winner.!

The aisles in the new shop, with the Graham Eyes butchers visible in the background (Image: SPAR)

Ian Taylor, a SPAR UK boss, said: “It's been a pleasure working with the team at James Hall & Co. Ltd on this new format.

“We have looked to evolve the model and improved the flow and visual impact of the store. Bowness is a fantastic location for a flagship store and are confident local shoppers will find all they need at SPAR Bowness.

The drinks selection at the new SPAR (Image: SPAR)

“The variety of local products is fantastic, and it will be really useful for our bed and breakfast business. I also help a lady do her shopping every week. There is a great range in the store to do this and it is also accessible with trolleys.”

Mr Staniek and Mr Cormack were joined by Dominic Hall and James Watt from James Hall and Co. Ltd, which serves SPAR retailers across northern England and SPAR Bowness Store Manager Chris Warriner.

A shopper enjoys a Cheeky Coffee Co (Image: SPAR)

Blackwell Sailing, which provides sailing opportunities for people with disabilities, and Save Windermere, which is campaigning to stop sewage being pumped into the lake, are two of three local organisations to receive donations from SPAR ahead of the opening.

The meat counter at the new Bowness store (Image: SPAR)

Windermere Rugby Club has also received a donation ahead of the new season and an agreement is in place for Windermere Food Bank to have a collection point in the store.