SPAR - St Augustine's Gate

SPAR (zone J, Norwich) may not have the best prices but they are the first store open and the last store to close.

They make fewer errors nowadays but I still check best before dates and add up what I'm spending so that I'm not cheated at the till.

That being said if you notice and return to the till with the receipt and prepaid product for scanning they will refund the difference.

I have lost count the number of times I have been overcharged at the Norwich Aylsham Road store. The ticket prices differ to what you are charged on the till. I just told the cashier the wine I bought was £5.50 and that is what the ticket price said and she still charged me £6. Definitely just going to pop to Aldi in future

I entered the store to be told incredibly rudely, be VERY QUICK, we're shutting now. If i'd of been told sorry we're now closing I wouldn't of had an issue but there was no need for the incredibly rude treatment. Wont bother going back again.

Good opening hours and fine for a pint of milk but very poor quality meat and general food produce. Cheap products at a premium price with very little choice.

This is a great store. I have met the manager Caroline who I have to give a shout out to. She is a lovely lady who is always really helpful to both customers and her staff.

I use this place daily at least twice, and have yet to come across an issue besides stock allocation and deals still being as advertised. So I can see why it would bother people, losing 50p doesn't bother me but 40x and it starts to stick in my craw.

Pros: Decent store. Selection is well varied but is mostly for cupboard foods, drinks, toiletries and snacks. Staff are great, always friendly. Hours are also amazing, as someone with insomnia a shop being open within a mile until 11pm is a god send.

New management seem good too, friendly and always asking how my day is. No complaints about staff or hygiene in the business.

Cons: Like a good 70% of the deals aren't working and I have no idea how the meal deals work, I picked items with stickers attached to them saying ''I'm in the meal deal'', only for them to not be. If the prices and dates etc are kept on top of, then there's no complaints really. It's a little pricier than other places, but consider it's also cheaper in some aspects, like tobacco and imported goods are cheaper than corner shops. European imported items work out cheaper than specialist Euro food shops.

My overall experience at SPAR is great, all the staff members are amazing and I usually leave very happy. The only issue is the manager. I’ve made a complaint via email in the past and have had several experiences in store where she has spoken to staff members in an inappropriate and unprofessional manner. One of my visits I witnessed the manager speak to a member of staff in a really unpleasant way which made me very uncomfortable, especially because I’ve had really lovely interactions with the lady. I hadn’t seen this lady for a few days, so I asked about her and have found out that she left due to this situation. Im disappointed and a bit worried as this is a pattern that will make the atmosphere in store unwelcoming for staff and customers.

Convenient after hours shop ... can find most grocery products here