Sainsbury’s subsidiary Bells Stores has become the first c-store chain to have its management training course accredited by a university.

The dedicated management course has received accreditation by Teesside University, giving store managers from the company who complete the one-year scheme, a nationally recognised certificate. Sainsbury’s at Bells training and development manager David Filmer said: “We’ve been developing the course for some time. Our store managers will get the best training and receive a certificate that is recognised across the UK by other retail businesses. It can help us attract and develop future store managers.”

The course is aimed specifically at Bells staff but Filmer acknowledges it could be tailored for other retail businesses.