CONVENIENCE GROUP Spar has announced a £200 million (€227 million) deal with service station operator Maxol in Northern Ireland that will see 29 Maxol convenience stores rebranded as Spar.

The deal further cements the partnership between the Henderson Group, which is the operator of 70 Spar stores in Northern Ireland, and Maxol. It follows a trial of the Spar franchise at a number of Maxol sites in late 2005. Maxol will provide petroleum fuels to 13 service stations owned by the Henderson Group, which will be branded in Maxol’s blue and yellow forecourt colours.

Patrick Doody, sales and marketing director at Henderson Wholesale, said the deal was “excellent” as it would allow it to expand in Northern Ireland alongside its fuel partner. Brian Donaldson, general manager of marketing and retail at the Maxol Group, said it would consolidate Maxol’s position as market leader in petrol retailing in the North.