SuperStation, Certas Energy’s forecourt standards competition, culminated with its Gala Awards Dinner at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire, with 120 people in attendance.

The competition, now in its fourth year, encourages and celebrates forecourt retailing values nationwide in areas such as appearance, product offering, customer service and business strategy.

Ramsay MacDonald, Certas Energy retail director, commented: “It’s the time of the year when the Certas family comes together and at this event the judging has been tougher than ever. It has been really heart-warming to hear fantastic stories of the passion and commitment to service by forecourt operators and particularly their staff, on whom we all depend across the country.”

“Tonight is a chance to celebrate success and encourage and inspire everyone to find the unique formula for their site and to push for better standards. With SuperStation, Certas Energy is driving forward the agenda for the independent forecourt operator so collectively we grow the business opportunity.”

David Penny, owner of Penny Petroleum, which won ‘Best Retail Initiative’ for its Social Penny campaign, said: “We are delighted that Certas Energy has recognised our efforts and the pride and passion we put into our business.

“Social Penny is a new initiative being driven by a young and talented team at Penny Petroleum for the benefit of our people and our customers. SuperStation is an excellent initiative to showcase the very best of our industry and the creativity, innovation and sheer hard work required to be successful in a difficult market place.”

The Gala Awards Dinner was once again sponsored by ID Maintenance, Certas Energy’s signage partner, implementing and maintaining the Gulf Brand. The company manufactures and installs totem price signs, canopy signage and associated branding.

The winners of the seven categories were:

Best Gulf-branded Site, sponsored by Suresite Ltd

Strand Garage, Barnoldswick, Lancashire

Best Forecourt Assistant North, sponsored by Vianet

Dorothy Ryan, Ivy Garage, Burton-on-Trent

Best Forecourt Assistant South, sponsored by Key Points

Kim Pryor, Astwood Bank Service Station, Redditch

Best Shop, sponsored by Fairbanks

Roundabout Service Station, Tredegar, Gwent

Most Improved Site, sponsored by HTEC

Research Garage, Hinckley

Best Retail Initiative, sponsored by Tokheim

Penny Petroleum, Northumberland

Best Pace-branded Site, sponsored by Central Maintenance Solutions

Townhead Filling Station, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire