A £400,000 redevelopment scheme, the first of its kind in the country, has come to fruition.

The reopening of the convenience store at Carnon Downs near Truro is the first to use the new 'Spar UK store design standard' – and the company says sales are already up by over 30% for the same time last year, in early trading.

The development, a joint project involving Saltash-based Appleby Westward, has created a next generation store for the local community. It also represents the flagship of Appleby Westward’s stable of 109 company-owned stores.

Dean Mason, Appleby Westward’s company-owned stores director, said: “We are immensely proud of this redevelopment. It is the biggest redevelopment scheme we have undertaken and has involved a major logistical process to take it from concept to completion.

“Carnon Downs was one of our most successful stores but needed improvement and it made the perfect site for this investment and for the introduction of SPAR’s new store design model.”

The 2,600 sq.ft. store has a strong focus on provenance, with a wide range of local Cornish products across many categories, along with an up-front butchery counter branded in the Cornish ‘Goon Karnen Kigti’. There is a clear emphasis throughout on the store’s reputation for fresh and chilled produce.

Butchery, fresh fruit and vegetables and other chilled produce are at the front of the store as customers walk in. A décor of dark grey fixtures and wood effect tiles feature strongly among the warm colours, materials and finishes throughout the store, along with messages conveying support for local suppliers and producers, with products identified by Cornish flag stickers.

Ian Taylor, SPAR UK Retail Director, said: “When we design stores, we adapt the format in line with customer demands. Customers of the Carnon Downs store are passionate about local products and sustainability and as a result we are providing them with a store design and offer that reflects all these needs. We have created a new fresh store format that is focused on the split of shopping missions, ensuring the space and range is tailored to meet the needs of local customers.”

Among new in-store features are a refill station section where customers can bring their own containers and buy loose products such as nuts, cereals, pulses, rice and flour. Local wines, craft beers and an artisan bakery will also feature, and the layout allows for the requirements of the High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) legislation due to come into force next year.

Carl Bladon, area manager for the store, said: “Work began on the store in mid-April and it has been a major logistical exercise involving many parties including store manager Adam Savage and his team, SPAR UK, and all departments in Appleby Westward contributing towards the successful development.”