As independent retailers, we are capable of quickly reacting to our customers needs.  I believe that 2010 is a turning point regarding people’s awareness of their carbon footprints and as such business has to do and be seen to do its bit too.We are currently undergoing a significant refit project at both our Soham and Ely stores and “going green” will have a major part to play in that.  For example, Ely will have doors put onto chillers! My peers think I’m mad as, over the years, there has been “proof” that doors act as a barrier and prevent people from purchasing. My philosophy is that open chillers blast the customer with cold air thus causing them to swiftly make a choice without really browsing the shelves. The doors will however save a significant amount of electricity. Our water supplying the car valeting is supplied via a borehole in order not to use drinking water.  Our plastic and cardboard is recycled by Spar and Budgens.  Our lighting is to be changed to LED lights which are far more efficient to use. 

Soham already has a web based Business Management System to allow us to monitor energy usage and maximise it accordingly.  This system will be rolled out across all sites in the coming months.  Following a successful trial at our Dersingham store, we will be putting the Daikins Conveni Pak system into Ely and Littleport.  Conveni Pak is a heat reclaimation unit that uses the heat generated from the refrigeration process to heat the shop floor.

As you can see, we are certainly doing our bit for the planet.  Just because we sell fuel, doesn’t mean we cant save energy! 

I always knew that our 150th anniversary would prove to be a busy year.  What I didn’t realise was just how busy!  The anniversary celebrations are already under way and will prove to be very memorable and great fun.  The team has formed a Committee to oversee the various events throughout 2010 and the ideas to date are very exciting indeed.

We are also about to embark on a major store refit programme.  The first store will be Ely and that will be in the latest Budgens forecourt format.  Our hot food section will be second to none as we are working in partnership with another innovative company.  We will also be reminding customers that we are a 150 year old family business and everyone will leave the site knowing it!! Ely will also become a 24 hour site so customers can enjoy our offer, literally whenever they please!

Slade End will become 24 hour in April shortly followed by a refit from the team at Spar.  Again, a very exciting project

Soham gets a refit in April and will be in the latest Budgens livery.  As an extra offer we will have Butchery and Fresh Fish counters which will be a completely different experience for us as well as our customers!!!

However, the main event of the year will be the opening of our brand new Littleport Service Station in the early summer.  I have designed it as a celebration of Independent Retailing and indeed the project has been called ‘Independence by Design’.

As a company that built traction engines back in the 1800s it’s fair to say, we certainly haven’t run out of steam!!!