Ascona launches £3m ‘transformative’ redevelopment programme site in North Wales

Top 50 Indie Ascona Group is about to start on a ’transformative’ redevelopment programme at its existing forecourt at Machynlleth, North Wales.

In line with Ascona’s strategy to develop the next evolution of roadside retail destinations, the upgraded site will include the enlargement of the existing Nisa Retail store. The expanded retail footprint will span 3,500 Sq ft and offer an extended range of products and food-to-go offerings.

The redevelopment will ensure all fuel grades are available at each pump. Following the Group’s vision to support the next generation of vehicles, the upgraded site will also include infrastructure for electric vehicle charging points with the final number still subject to the local grid’s capacity.

The new site will also feature a car park with a larger capacity, as well as a new rollover and jet car wash.

The redevelopment will create up to 12 new jobs, including eight full-time and four part-time roles. The new site is expected to reopen to customers in July 2023.

Ascona has appointed the Toureen Group as the main contractor for the project.

CEO Darren Briggs said: “The redevelopment and modernisation of existing forecourts is at the core of our strategy so we are very excited to get this transformative programme underway.

“As our largest investment in Wales to date, through the upgrade of the site at Machynlleth we are ensuring that the new site provides our customers and the local community with a high quality roadside retail destination that caters to their specific needs.

“We continue to explore other redevelopment opportunities across multiple sites in our portfolio with two major projects planned in Wales for 2023.”

Ascona Group describes itself as one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators, with 61 sites across the UK and a leading retail service offering including both commercial partnerships and in-house brands. Headquartered in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Ascona employs over 750 people and prides itself on doing things differently, with a flexible culture, community charitable programme and leading employee care offering.

The Ascona Foundation supports a range of community initiatives including children’s sports teams and foodbank charities and has donated over £100,000 since 2019. The Group has a “best in industry” Employment Assistance Package and is the only major independent fuel retailer to offer private health insurance to its site managers.