Supasave David Lee Warsop

[KevC]

Hi
I am trying to find out information on the Supasave Group which I believe existed in the 1970's in Notts, and was started in Warsop, possibly by a David LEE. In particular it would be helpful if I could obtain a list of stores in the Group, especially if this included a store in Newark on Trent. (The store address would also be helpful). Please let me know if you can help - many thanks!

This may help: (Entry by 'Caz' on this forum, Sunday 11th March 2007):
No Legz, I'm not being short-sighted at all! You're absolutely right about large supermarkets killing local shops and that's why I opposed the building of a Tesco in Warsop a few years ago. You don't have to argue with me about that. I've already said my bit and fully agree with what you're saying! Though it's a little ironic as Warsop was a pioneer of supermarkets almost 50 years ago when David Lee took over his dad's hardware store on Sherwood Street (who remembers that?) and opened Leefair, which he later changed to Supasave and started the chain.

'Caz' was listed as: F/T Web Team Manager (NCC), P/T Teacher (WEA), Spare Time Warsop Webmaster,

[Westmorland]

There was a store on Sherwood Street Warsop were Scrooges now is and a large store on Church Street Mansfield which has since been demolished and the Nat West Bank now stands in its place

They also had a small warehouse at Welbeck near to the Dukeries Garden Centre

[Caz]

All I know is pretty much what I posted and mostly from memory, which isn't always detail perfect these days.

As far as I remember, David Lee took over his Dad's hardware store on Sherwood Street, turned it into a supermarket called Leefair, then later changed the name to Supasave and opened more stores. The family used to live in Warsop many moons ago but I think David moved to Caunton. He had a hand in developing Dukeries garden centre about 35 years ago but it's had several different owners since.

I don't know where you'd get a list of stores from, or anyone else who might be able to help. Sorry!

[Cheshire Cat]

I remember when the store opened in Mansfield it was marketed as the first in Europe with an escalator for shopping trolleys.

Didn't David Lee have a shop on a ship. Kind of a booze cruise idea but selling more than booze?

[Eoghan]

Hi Kev,

I happened across this page and found your search interesting.
At some time in the seventies, possibly '75, I lived in Stockport for a while. At some point I took a job as Warehouse Manager for a company called Moneysave (previously Sunspot, and previously a cinema I believe) in Princes Street,Stockport which was taken over by the company Supasave (David Lee, Worksop) - the name Welbeck comes to mind. I don't know what became of the Store as I returned to Paisley while it was still operating. If I'm correct, there is a little pub nearby called 'The Swan With Two Necks' - it was great for a sneaky lunchtime visit.
Thanks for prompting the memory.
Eoghan

[Beef]

Hi,
Supasave also had 2 stores in Leicester one was where the Highcross shopping centre now stands and the other on Loughborough road. Welbeck house was the Head Office. I joined in 1976 and they were still trading in Leicester until the early 80's. In their day, they were bigger than Tesco and most other supermarket chains.