Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, cut the ribbon to officially open a newly redeveloped SPAR store and Post Office in Tavistock.
The store, in Abbey Place, has been the subject of a redevelopment in order to accommodate an expanded Post Office service within the retail area.
The Post Office has introduced a Combi Counter, installed alongside the SPAR tills, enabling staff to serve both retail and Post Office transactions. Extended opening hours from 7.00am-10.00pm, plus the ability to use the service on a Saturday afternoon and Sunday, mean customers will be able to enjoy extended Post Office services. Customers can buy stamps and other everyday postal items if the Post Office is closed.
Store owner Ravi Jhangiani undertook the refurbishment of the store with co-investment and input from Appleby Westward, the regional distribution company for SPAR stores in the south west. It was closed for nine days while the redevelopment work was carried out.
Shelving has been realigned and displays improved to enable customers to see more products and promotional items, and Appleby Westward’s merchandising team carried out a complete re-merchandising of the store. The tills have been moved to the opposite side of the store, enabling blanked windows to be opened up, and a new Costa coffee machine has been installed.
Ravi, who also owns a SPAR store in West Hoe, Plymouth, bought the Tavistock premises eight years ago when it had been a Post Office branch office. He converted it to a SPAR store and Post Office, offering a full range of convenience products. There are 18 members of staff, seven of whom work in the Post Office
An accountant by training, Ravi gained early experience in the grocery trade when he was involved in the opening of Marhaba, the first ever supermarket in Bahrain in 1980. He also worked in retail with Top Shop.
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