8/11/2016 | Retail

Husband and wife team retire from Wiveliscombe village store

The Spar store in Wiveliscombe, a Somerset village situated nine miles west of Taunton, has been sold by commercial business property specialist, Christie & Co.

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The store has been owned and operated by Brian and Barbara Humphrey for the past 31 years and they have now taken the decision to retire from the established village store.

Mr & Mrs Humphrey relocated from Sussex in 1985 and having been made redundant, chose to purchase the convenience store due to its ideal location to raise and support their family while building on their past professional experience.  In 1987, Spar approached Brian and Barbara with an offer which they accepted, and they worked hard to support the needs of the local community ever since.

The new purchaser, a regional growing multiple operator, made a swift proposal in April 2016 and the sale completed just six weeks after the offer had been accepted.

William Trott, Business Agent in Christie & Co’s Exeter office handled the sale and comments, “The speed of the sale demonstrates what a successful business the current owners had built up over the years. The convenience store market is still an attractive one in the South West, for both corporate operators and lifestyle business seekers, with remote village locations with little competition particularly appealing to many.

“We wish Brian and Barbara a happy retirement and all the best in their plans to travel the world.”

Brian and Barbara would like to thank all the past, present and future customers and members of staff for the continued support, as well as wishing the new owners the best of luck.