The Simon Smith Group has created 20 new jobs after completing the renovation of its Daventry site using a £1 million loan from Lloyds TSB Commercial.

The family-owned Top 50 Indie, and former Forcourt Trader of the Year,  runs a portfolio of seven filling stations across Gloucestershire and the Midlands, four of which have a Budgens convenience store on site.

The company secured the funding from its long-term banking provider Lloyds TSB Commercial to rebuild the former forecourt on London Road, which is now trading as Simon Smith Budgens Daventry.

The refurbished petrol station features a car wash, a 2,500 sq ft Budgens convenience store, an upgraded forecourt and the firm’s first Subway sandwich shop.

Following the opening of the development the Simon Smith Group now employs 120 staff across its portfolio. The company is expanding the group further with its next redevelopment project in Leamington Spa, where work will begin in the next few months.

Brian Tew, director at the Simon Smith Group, said: “The convenient accessibility of the Daventry site meant it was the ideal location for our first Subway franchise, and we are really pleased with the quality outcome of the redevelopment of the forecourt.

“Our relationship director Mark has a fantastic understanding of the forecourt industry, and the support from the wider team at Lloyds TSB Commercial has been instrumental in completing this landmark project to such a high standard.

“I recommended that a friend looking for funding approach Mark, and he too was impressed with the solid sector knowledge he has. I look forward to working with the Lloyds TSB Commercial team as we expand the group further.”

Mark Lodge, relationship director at Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “The Simon Smith Group is renowned for providing a professional, accessible service for customers and the Daventry redevelopment is an impressive example of this.

“Brian has over 50 years’ experience in the forecourt industry and has a streamlined plan for how the company will move forward and build on its recent growth.

“At Lloyds TSB Commercial we are committed to supporting businesses like the Simon Smith Group as they look to expand and grow, and in the first six months of this year we lent nearly £6.6 billion to SMEs.”