Spar

About a year ago, after numerous issues with getting ASOS packages delivered by Yodel (seriously, who hasn’t had an issue with Yodel!!) I was at the end of my tether. I wanted nice new clothes and shiny shoes but Yodel were a pain in the butt to deal with! Step in Collect+ — a genius parcel delivery system that will deliver your parcels to local shops for you instead of your home address. I’d never had the need to use Collect+ in the past but it seemed like the answer to my problems.
Luckily my local Spar (now a Day Today) has part of the Collect+ scheme. I have since had numerous parcels delivered to this store and every one has been easy and straightforward to collect. Once your parcel is delivered to the store (usually quicker than any home delivery I find) you will receive a text message with a link to a bar code. All you need to do is go into the store, give your name and show your bar code and your parcel is yours. I’ve never had any issues my deliveries whilst collecting them at this store. Staff are quick and helpful and the all night opening hours means you can literally collect your parcels any time! I don’t have a car so collecting from the Royal Mail depot can be a real pain because of their opening hours but not an issue here! Most online retailers offer Collect+ as an option nowadays and it’s reassuring to know you won’t have to go through the faff of arranging redeliveries!
I don’t really use this store for anything else but they have the usual selection of snack food and drinks and a large selection of alcohol. My sister and I spotted a completely colourless bottle of rosé wine here once, just sayin’…

Today is actually the first time that I’ve ever been in here and I reckon I’ll be popping in somewhat more frequently. Though considering my past record this could mean anything from a few times a week to once every three years…
Anyway, as Eleanor pointed out this is a pretty large Spar and thus has a good selection of all the usual grocers. This is particularly, handy and useful for those along the fruit and veg lines as well as prepacked sandwiches. As it’s unlikely you’ll find products up to a similar standard of these in the numerous corner shops and newsagents scattered around locally. Hence, it’s either this Spar or the Sainsbury’s further along Clarkston Road.
Fair enough, Sainbury’s isn’t all that much further and does, obviously, have a much better selection — being a supermarket and all — but this Spar is that little bit handier for a few quality items. For instance, today we popped in here on the way from stocking up from Discount Pet Supplies and to a pub lunch.
So an excellent addition which fits nicely into a niche market between the newsagents and Sainsbury’s massive supermarket. Plus, there’s a free of charge cash machine attached to the wall just outside, which is also of great use.

I used to live right next to this Spar and it was so handy as I could pop here for some snacks if my cupboards were a little bare and I couldn’t be bothered doing a weekly shop.
Quite a big store, it stocks fruit and vegtables, magazines, toiletries, snacks, and a hefty selection of wine and spirits, what more could you need?