Spar

When I was living in Allensbank House during my first year of university, this Spar was a life saver.
Being the only shop nearby, I didn’t really have much choice about shopping here, but I was always happy to do so.
This Spar is a good size and is well stocked with biscuits, tea and all the other things students need to get them through a night of essay writing.
It also has a good range of alcohol, really cheap fizzy drinks and plenty of crisps and other snacks that are great for stocking up before a party.
Wonderfully convenient for anyone living in Allensbank House or anywhere else nearby.
And an extra plus for students: no-​one ever minded if I turned up in pyjama bottoms and an old hoody during a particularly stressful study session!

This Spar is the definition of a convenience store. I used to live up this way and it’s the only shop within a ten maybe fifteen minute walk. Unless you ventured into that little shopping centre thing in the hospital, but I try and avoid hospitals as best I can. Also you can feel awkward rolling up at nine o’clock in the evening looking for booze and fags in a hospital.
So that’s where the Allensbank Road Spar steps in admirably. Especially now it has new owners and it appears to have overcome its recent troubles. The re-​fit has come off nicely and is now filled with all you’d expect of a Spar, newspapers, magazines, bottles of wine, pasties, biscuits and one of those self-​service coffee machines that I’ve never seen anyone use. Cans of pop are steep at 79p a throw.
Also note that while they’re open until half ten during the week, they’re not allowed to sell booze after ten.