Symbol group Spar aims to boost its forecourt estate to 600 stores over the next two years, according to the company’s retail director Richard Bennett.

The revelation follows last month’s announcement that four Spar wholesalers will supply 22 of Total’s largest sites, which were formerly supplied by Somerfield.

"We have really accelerated our progress over the past year and will achieve our 500 stores target sooner than we thought - before the end of the financial year," said Bennett.

"Forecourts are incredibly important to us and a key part of our growth strategy. There are probably around 1,500 out there that are right for Spar. We will now be targeting the next best 100."

Reflecting this growth, Spar wholesaler Capper & Co has appointed a dedicated forecourt specialist to support its estate of 84 stores, with a further 26 in the pipeline.

Mark Dempsey has previously worked on the Somerfield Essentials format, as well as being an area manager with Save Service Stations and a store manager for Shell.