Symonds Forecourts has opened its fifth Londis store. Located on a forecourt in Gloucester, it is one of seven forecourt sites owned and operated by the West Country company. The firm is also about to open its third Budgens store on a forecourt in Wells.

A Captain Jack Sparrow lookalike helped to launch the latest Londis, where celebrations for local residents included a live broadcast outside the store from Heart FM plus a free car wash service, free teas and coffees and the chance to win £250 in a free prize draw. The charity launch day also helped to raise over £1,000 for Have a Heart and Help for Heroes.

Jeremy Symonds, chief executive officer of Symonds Forecourts, said: "It’s great to work in partnership with Londis, which is an established brand, and yet we can also add our own flair and local flavour.

"We’re delighted with our new-look store and more importantly, so are our customers. We’re attracting new people every day."

Symonds invested £100,000 in the Gloucester forecourt site and its 2,000sq ft store. With its new fuel supplier Jet (instead of Texaco), the site is now positioned as the cheapest in Gloucester for fuel. Inside, as well as 4m of dairy and cooked meats, Symonds has added a 1m run of chilled fresh produce plus a new 3m snacking chiller. There is also a Subway franchise.