Sharma Garages re-opened its petrol filling station near Sutton Coldfield last week, after a three-month, £650,000 refit as part of a plan to future-proof its sites for the next 10 to 15 years.
The three-month development of the New Oscott forecourt was part of the company’s long-term strategy to upgrade and modernise its existing network, rather than expanding into new locations, says operations manager Saeed Noorani.
The Bush Services site on the Chester Road North, between Kingstanding and Sutton Coldfield, has undergone a renovation of both the BP forecourt and Premier branded shop.
Originally purchased from BP in 2001, the 24-hour forecourt has been reconfigured to improve functionality. The AdBlue bay has been widened and repositioned to better accommodate larger vehicles, while additional space has been created for deliveries. The forecourt apron has been resurfaced, and parking has been expanded from six to eight bays.
A new £22,000 Electrajet jet wash has been added to the two existing two, now housed in a purpose built enclosed structure by Istobal. Additionally, a £205,000 state-of-the-art Christ/Wilcomatic rollover car wash is set to be installed this June, which Noorani claims will deliver a “car showroom” finish.
Two new four-in-one air towers, replacing older equipment and offering vacuum, air freshener, airline, and screen wash features, have been introduced and repositioned for better customer access. And an old bunker has been replaced with two new ATL units to display seasonal items such as charcoal, logs, kindling, AdBlue, and screenwash.
The shop exterior has been transformed with white metal cladding, giving it “a sleek, modern look”, says Noorani. It is the first Sharma site to feature a black Premier fascia – commissioned by the company and approved by Booker – illuminated with purple lighting and a yellow tick, reflecting the tastes of the local affluent community.
Inside, the store now houses a Wild Bean Café micromart with an ice-blended drinks and coffee dispenser, a station for milk and sugar, and a new Rollover hotdog unit. Due to declining sales, the Fwip ice cream machine and Tango Blast slush dispenser have been removed. The decision was influenced by rising gas costs and health concerns around glycerol in slush drinks for young children.
New product additions include two stands which Noorani discovered at last month’s National Convenience Show: Solv-X essentials, featuring items like Sellotape, scissors, and fuses, and Snak Shed snacks, including flapjacks, cookies, and muffins.
Internally, the shop underwent a significant transformation. Space from the manager’s office was repurposed to install a new toilet and storage room. Black shelving was lowered and repositioned, the suspended ceiling was removed, and both the ceiling and steel joists were painted black to enhance the sense of space. A new, modern lighting plan was implemented, giving the store a stylish, contemporary feel, further elevated by the installation of Italian herringbone floor tiles.
Three TV screens were installed behind the counter, and a new external LED screen was mounted on the building to replace traditional banners and poster frames. Noorani says that this modern solution not only enhances the site’s appearance but also creates a new revenue stream by offering the media space for brand advertising.
In terms of sustainability, solar panels were installed on the shop and canopy roof about three years ago. The latest upgrade also includes motion-sensor lighting on the canopy and rear of the store to conserve energy when no activity is detected. And the site now features new canopy under-sheeting, a new BP pole sign, and refreshed BP branding throughout.
The Sutton Coldfield location is one of five forecourts operated by Sharma Garages, all of which are BP supplied and feature Christ rollover car washes, enclosed Electrajet jet wash bays, and Wild Bean micromart vending units.
Looking ahead, the company is planning further upgrades across its network. The next redevelopment will take place at its Terminus Service Station in Wolverhampton, where planning applications have been submitted for jet washing facilities and EV charging, with a mini makeover scheduled for next year.
At its St John’s Road in Stourbridge site, plans are underway to install electric vehicle charging points and solar panels. That petrol filling station was also recently enhanced with a new car wash, three enclosed jet wash bays, updated fuel pumps, and a redesigned parking area.
Meanwhile, its Birmingham Ward End forecourt received a mini makeover last year, and its Swift Services in Stoke underwent a full knockdown and rebuild in 2023.
