West Country Spar operator Gillett’s of Callington has acquired its 60th store and signed a new five-year contract with regional distributor Appleby Westward.

Gillett’s latest store, in Bridport, Dorset, was previously Appleby’s only remaining company-owned store, which it bought in 2010. The 3,000sq foot unit was a former Woolworth’s store which Appleby refurbished to incorporate chilled meat and alcohol, a fresh fruit and vegetable island and a food-to-go section including seating and a breakfast bar area at the front of the shop.

Appleby has since closed its three other Eurospar stores in Liskeard, Cornwall, Keynsham and Minehead, both in Somerset.  

Gillett managing director Mark Gillett said: “It is a significant milestone to acquire our 60th store in the South West and we are delighted at the same time to cement our longstanding relationship with Spar.”

Appleby Westward managing director Mark McCammond added: “Gillett’s are totally focused on retailing and it was therefore fitting to sell our only company-owned store to them.”

Appleby will now focus entirely on servicing more than 280 independent Spar retailers in the South West.