West Country & Wales: 2.5mlpa plus
The new-to-industry Budgens Marlborough site hit the ground running by gaining publicity from a Dragon’s Den-style evening. This saw charities pitch to win a share of £6,000. Fraser’s Retail group operations manager, Mark Wilson, says: "Over 200 locals turned up so it was the perfect opportunity to spread the word."
As well as excellent forecourt facilities, the site boasts a Budgens store with two distinctive areas for fresh and ambient. This is achieved by having a higher ceiling in the fresh area with pendant lighting, different ceramic floor tiles and artificial ducting. A Subway sits at the end of the fresh aisle.
Mark says: "We pride ourselves on selling locally sourced food as well as giving strong value to our customers.
"We reinforce these messages with four local supplier event days and also use Tesco price match and Musgrave’s Supervalu range to highlight the value.
"We have our own website and a Platinum Club with loyalty card, which features regular special offers for members and asks for their feedback."
West Country & Wales: Up to 2.5mlpa
Customers describe the Brian Llewelyn A’l Ferched site in Penfro as ’breathtaking’ thanks to the views you see while you fill up, as well as the well-kept grounds around it.
Its store is also not your average run-of-the-mill forecourt shop.
Yes, it stocks everything today’s customers expect hot drinks, off licence, car care, tobacco and has a microwave facility but you can also find plenty of local produce as well as handmade gifts, unusual greetings cards, country clothing and even pairs of wellington boots!
Brian Llewelyn’s is a traditional family business with two daughters, two son-in-laws and a grandson all working there. Sian Llewelyn-Jones, who picked up the award, says: "We are a curious forecourt where the modern things are placed side by side with treasured old ways."
London & South East: 2.5mlpa Plus
Parkfoot Garage in West Malling, Kent, is a family business that prides itself on having served the local community for more than 60 years. And in those 60 years, an awful lot has changed.
An extension and refit resulted in an indredibly impressive 280sq m Spar store complete with in-store butchery, delicatessen, large chilled section, and extensive local and speciality ranges. This all led to a 45% uplift in sales, with average basked spend boosted to £6.29.
Owner David Charman never stands still; he’s always changing things to improve the shopping experience for his customers. Most recently he’s extended the Cook range in store and moved the newspaper and magazine display to make it more prominent.
Delighted to win the Forecourt Trader accolade, David was also pleased to have been highly commended in the 2013 NACS International Convenience Retailer awards.
London & South East: Up to 2.5mlpa
It was a case of another year, another win for this Murco/Costcutter site in Canvey Island as we’ve yet to find a site in the South East in this category that’s better.
It’s well known locally for its excellent accessibility, abundant off-road parking and well-presented and well-maintained facilities which include car wash, jet wash, vacuum and airline.
Manager Peter Woods says: "The store is staffed by local people, with good knowledge of what we stock and what our customers want. They are available at all times to deliver speedy service as well as assistance on the shop floor.
"Over the past year, we have really concentrated on developing our range of locally sourced fruit and veg in response to customer demands."
Peter says promotions and money-saving offers are very popular and these are advertised locally via leaflet drops.
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