The new Frizington petrol station and bigger Spar are still on the cards Frizington Spar and new petrol station still on the way, says owner family
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
The family that runs Frizington's Spar says the go-ahead's been given for a bigger community store and new forecourt, and that the firm has grown from one A69 garage in 1968 to 11 sites.
If you live in Frizington and you're fed up of driving into Whitehaven or Cleator Moor for fuel, this one matters.
The family firm behind the village Spar, M&L Richardson and Sons, has told Cumbria Crack that plans have been given the go-ahead for a bigger community store and a new forecourt in Frizington. They now run 11 shops and forecourts across Cumbria, Northumberland and County Durham, all from a start in 1968 when Malcolm and Lyndis Richardson took on a garage at Low Row on the A69. Four of their sons, David, Martyn, Kevin and Paul, run it now.
It's been a long time coming. Whitehaven News reported the plans date back to 2022 and the old Griffin Inn has already been knocked down. The approved scheme has a new petrol station, a single-storey extension at the back of the shop, extra parking and a new ramp so everyone can get in. The Spar's also home to the area's Post Office.
Cumberland Council has also signed off some changes. The petrol station's still in, but the shop floor area shrinks a bit, the ramp has been redesigned and the lobby goes inside the front of the existing lean-to. Two parking spaces went and two new ones came in, so the approved total's still met.
The applicants said the petrol station would "meet the day to day needs of local residents and farmers" and bring in passing trade. There's no opening date yet. To look at the plans, search the Cumberland Council planning pages for application 4/24/2313/0B1.
M&L Richardson and Sons, the family firm behind Frizington's Spar, says plans for an expanded community store and new forecourt have been given the go-ahead, as it celebrates growing from one A69 garage to 11 sites.
This is for Frizington residents, farmers and anyone who relies on the village shop, Post Office or a petrol station nearer than Whitehaven or Cleator Moor.
M&L Richardson and Sons Ltd, which runs the Spar on Main Street, has told Cumbria Crack that plans have been given the go-ahead to build an expanded community store and a new forecourt in Frizington. The firm now runs 11 convenience stores and forecourts across Cumbria, Northumberland and County Durham, and began in 1968 when Malcolm and Lyndis Richardson took over a garage at Low Row on the A69. The business is now run by four of their sons, David, Martyn, Kevin and Paul.
The Frizington scheme has a long history. Whitehaven News reported that redevelopment plans have existed since 2022 and have already involved demolishing the former Griffin Inn. The approved plans include a new petrol station, a single-storey extension at the back of the shop, extra parking and a new entrance ramp for step-free access. Frizington's Spar also houses the area's Post Office.
Cumberland Council has also approved changes to the plans. The petrol station is still part of them, but there is "a small reduction in the size of the area allocated to retail", the ramp has been redesigned and the shop lobby will sit inside the front of the existing lean-to. Two parking spaces were removed and two new ones added so the approved number is still met.
The applicants said the petrol station would "meet the day to day needs of local residents and farmers" and attract passing trade. No opening date has been given. Plans and decisions can be found by searching the Cumberland Council planning pages for application 4/24/2313/0B1.