Spar distributor A.F. Blakemore has formed a new food service partnership with Eat 17, which owns two award-winning Spar stores and restaurants in London.

The joint venture is aimed at gaining a greater insight into the food service sector and Eat 17’s success in the area.

Since it was established in 2007, Eat 17 has become world-renowned in the convenience sector for its entrepreneurial flair, innovation and quality produce. Spar Hackney was recently crowned Best New Store at the 2015 Convenience Retail Awards, while Spar Walthamstow won CRA 2011.

Blakemore Trade Partners managing director Jerry Marwood said: “A.F. Blakemore is delighted to embark on this new partnership with such a prestigious business and is confident that the move will prove to be an amazing opportunity for both partners.

“Food service in a franchise format has delivered strong growth across both A.F. Blakemore’s independent Spar estate and company-owned Blakemore Retail Spar estate, so this investment will further strengthen our insight into this area.”

James Brundle, co-founder of Eat 17, added: “Having worked in partnership with A.F. Blakemore since 2010 we have seen the great benefits that their industry expertise and symbol group backing has brought to our company and are confident that this partnership will help us to grow our business and develop it to the next level.”