A WESTON Spar shopkeeper welcomed an unusual bunch of customers last week – 30 other Spar retailers from across the region.

Mark and Estelle Canniford, who run convenience stores in High Street and Locking Road, were visited as part of a conference at the Royal Hotel staged to discuss issues affecting the industry.

Event spokesman Nick Kenworthy said: “The conference enabled store owners to learn about the challenges facing convenience stores and look at ways to improve their own businesses, as well as talk to fellow retailers about issues affecting their day-to-day operations.”