Top 50 Indie Karan Retail continues its march across the UK from Scotland to the southwest of England, with two purchases within two weeks bringing its forecourt network to 47 sites.
The Coventry-based business acquired Hele Bay Filling Station at Ilfracombe in North Devon, and Piccadilly Service Station in Wellington, Somerset at the end of November – giving it five outlets in the southwest of England.
The Top 50 Indie, the 11th in Forecourt Trader’s annual ranking, is one of the fastest growing, says WT Estates, which sold the five sites, including three in north Devon: Chivenor Service Station near Barnstaple, Sticklepath Filling Station at Barnstaple, and Braunton Service Station at Braunton this year.
Karan Retail, still on the lookout for other forecourts to add to its network, now only has gaps in its nationwide portfolio in the northeast and northwest of England.
And says William Trott, managing director of WT Estates: “It has others in the region with solicitors now, going through in the new year.”
Its latest acquisition, Hele Bay Filling Station, was previously owned by Freddy and Jacquie Camp who had operated the site for 11 years and are now retiring.
The Total/Spar branded business, with accommodation above the shop, has been redeveloped and refurbished over that time, with a Karcher automated car wash among the additions.
The Piccadilly Service Station, a Texaco/Best-one outlet, was sold to Karan Retail by an undisclosed top five independent forecourt operator.
Sivasubramaniam Suthakaran, owner of Karan Retail, says: “We are excited with our latest acquisition of Hele Bay Filling Station from Mr and Mrs Camp.
”This marks our fifth acquisition in the north Devon area as we look to continue to invest in the region. We would like to thank the support of WT Estates and introducing agent Trinity Retail Sales for once again introducing this quality site to ourselves entrusting us to deliver on the purchase. We would finally like to wish Mr and Mrs Camp all the very best in their retirement.”
