scotland: up to 2.5mlpa

D avid Penny, managing director of Penny Petroleum, says he’s delighted that the firm’s Auld Brig Services in Alloa was once again recognised at the Forecourt Trader Awards. He says: "It is thanks to the dedication from site staff and management that the high standards set when the site opened, in January 2012, have been maintained. The site was developed with the local community as our main focus.

"We continue to provide a wi-fi lounge and Costa coffee outlet within the store as well as stocking a full range of locally-sourced produce.

"We are fully committed to maintaining the exceptional standards in store and continue to strive to become a beacon of the local community."

The busy site is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The store is Londis branded and receives two deliveries a week. David says store staff pride themselves on being ’first to market’ with new lines and providing them at very competitive prices.

scotland: 2.5mlpa plus

Motor Fuel Group’s St Johnstone site in Perth was described by Awards’ judges as a ’good spacious modern service station with all the amenities you’d expect on a modern site’.

The forecourt features a rollover car wash, while the 24-hour Costcutter store is well-stocked and merchandised with a broad range of convenience as well as impulse items.

The shop also, most importantly, has friendly cashiers serving customers. Site manager Kanagashigam Kamalaseelan says: "We always provide the best service to our customers and they are never disappointed.

"Our recent shop refit and rebranding to Costcutter had an immediate impact on our sales they’ve already risen by 20%. The Costa coffee unit and the Cuisine de France hot food range are both great attractions."

northern ireland: up to 2.5mlpa

Kerry Hagans, manager of Bally Clare Milestone Spar puts her site’s success down to consistently good standards. "Customers regularly comment on the fact that the site is clean and tidy and the store is well stocked. It’s a busy site and trading is up on last year. Promotions are particularly popular."

The store has a commitment to be ’Famous for Fresh’ and chilled is a department where high standards are paramount. Spar delivers fresh foods five times a week and staff regularly complete ’Would I buy it?’ checks to ensure quality and freshness. Boards are attached to fixtures to show customers that checks have been made. Kerry says having this on show provides the customers with confidence that they are purchasing the best quality product possible.

There is also a strong commitment to supporting local suppliers including the Cloughbane Farm Shop, Elmore Fish and GB Poultry.

northern ireland: 2.5mlpa plus

Manager of EuroSpar Carrick Milestone, Jonathan Mitchell, puts much of his site’s success down to the emphasis on customer service. "I know it sounds a cliché, and everyone says it, but customer service gives us the edge. Customers regularly comment on how our staff give customers the personal touch; how they go that extra mile in talking to them and making sure they have all they need." There’s no wonder then that the site attracts more than 10,000 customers a week.

Jonathan says other attractions include a good range, cheap prices and excellent promotional offers. "We provide very competitive pricing and concentrate on ensuring our Tesco Price Match is kept up to date on a fortnightly basis."

Standards are also key and each member of staff has a daily checklist they have to adhere to.

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