CI Newsagents (IOM) Ltd, which operates the Spar brand on the Island, has acquired the business at the Milestone service station on Peel Road Douglas that consists of a fuel forecourt operation, car wash and convenience store.
The acquisition is one of the largest to date within CI Newsagents’ retail estate of 15 sites and swells the number of its forecourt businesses to four, the others being located at Ballasalla, Peel and Port Erin.
In the short term the store will continue to trade in its current format but with additional ranges introduced through the company’s Spar retail operation in the near future.
The store will be extended subject to planning approval and will be re-branded a Spar convenience store featuring the attendant modern retail enhancements and facilities that distinguish the Spar brand’s success on the island said CI Newsagents managing director Peter Whittaker who added: ‘The Milestone’s fuel supplies will continue to be provided by Manx Petroleums Limited, furthering our strength in the local forecourt retailing marketplace and bolstering our geographical spread across the Isle of Man.
‘Acquiring the Milestone retailing operation represents one of the largest investments yet by CI Newsagents, part of the Heron and Brearley Group, a wholly Manx-owned business. This acquisition serves as evidence of the group’s confidence in the future, reaffirms its long-term commitment to its customers and its people, and demonstrates the Heron and Brearley Group’s sustained contribution to the Island’s economy.
‘This forms part of our strategy to improve our services throughout the Island and increases our store portfolio once again while strengthening our commitment to the brand and, more importantly, to our customers and the people of the Isle of Man.
‘We look forward to serving existing and new customers alike at the Milestone with additional ranges and promotions consistent with our other sites across the Island.’
