A new £3m petrol station, convenience store and coffee unit has opened in County Durham – transforming the former site of the Park View Garage site on the A690.

Queues of residents formed at the door on the opening day last weekend as the red carpet was rolled out, the ribbon was cut, and camera flashguns flared to mark the occasion.

The new 3000 sq. ft. SPAR and Shell branded forecourt, which is in Willington, has created 27 jobs and becomes the 157th James Hall & Co. Ltd’s-owned SPAR store and its 46th forecourt.

Read more: County Durham and Darlington’s cheapest petrol stations revealed 

It has also helped transform the Park View Garage site on the A690.

To mark the occasion of opening the store, a host of dignitaries arrived in Willington, including the Mayor of Greater Willington Town Council Cllr Ken Henfrey, Deputy Mayor Cllr Angela Smith, and County Cllr Olwyn Gunn, alongside Dominic Hall, deputy managing director, and Fiona Drummond, company stores director, both of James Hall & Co. Ltd.

The new facility features a Graham Eyes Butchers, a Clayton Park Deli, a Cheeky Coffee unit, and a popular Tango Ice Blast machine, as well as a range of fresh and frozen foods, food to go, major branded products, and beers, wines, and spirits.

The Northern Echo: The Willington SPAR forecourt. Picture: SPARThe Willington SPAR forecourt. Picture: SPAR

The forecourt features six pumps, water, air and vacuum machines, an ATM, and customer parking.

Doreen Taylor, 62, from Willington, was one resident visiting on launch day.

She said: “I had a good look around and I’m hugely impressed with the store. It’s much bigger than I thought it was going to be, the range is excellent, and it has wide aisles which are great.

The Northern Echo: Graham Eyes Butchers has a facility in the petrol station. Picture: SPAR Graham Eyes Butchers has a facility in the petrol station. Picture: SPAR

“My daughter Ann is employed at the SPAR as well and she has been counting down the days to the opening weekend. My grandson says there is a great range of drinks, and he is looking forward to trying the Tango Ice Blast machine.”

Bill Atkinson, 75, from Willington, also attended the opening.

He said: “I received a leaflet through the door with the offers and wanted to come down. It’s a fantastic store with a variety of products and I really like the butchers and deli.

The Northern Echo: There is also a deli counter at the petrol station. Picture: SPARThere is also a deli counter at the petrol station. Picture: SPAR

“Items in the store are very keenly priced and the petrol is the cheapest around this area, so I’ll definitely be returning.”

Fiona Drummond, company stores director at James Hall & Co. Ltd, added: “We had a tremendous opening weekend in Willington and already feel like part of the village.

The Northern Echo: Cheeky Coffee machine at SPAR Willington. Picture: SPARCheeky Coffee machine at SPAR Willington. Picture: SPAR

“We really are building up quite a cluster of company-owned SPAR stores in County Durham with Shotton, Murton, Shildon, Wolsingham, and Darlington already serving communities there.”

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