Budgens of Wells, owned by Top 50 Indie, Symonds Forecourts, was revealed as this year’s Forecourt Trader of the Year at a glittering occasion at the London Hilton Hotel in Park Lane last night.

The sell-out annual event, hosted by top celebrity comedian Hugh Dennis, was attended by around 700 guests, including the best fuel retailers from all parts of the UK, senior oil company executives, and major suppliers to the industry.

The overall award was presented to Symonds Forecourts’ managing director Nick Lloyd, and store manager Jason Tamplin, winner of the Best Store Manager category. The company’s chief executive Jeremy Symonds had been injured in a charity cycle ride and was unable to attend.

Chairman of the judges, and Forecourt Trader editor Merril Boulton, said of the winners: “Their entry began with the line “we have a winning team mentality…” and that is certainly borne out tonight. The company has created a fantastic forecourt and convenience store facility, but more importantly, by focusing on staff training and constant monitoring of the sales figures, the Symonds team has become another great facility driving the business – engaging effectively with customers and maximising profitability. A great example to the rest of the industry. Many congratulations.”

The evenings’ entertainment included female violin quartet Sahara disco, Heineken bar, Jet scalextric and Palmer and Harvey casino.

The full list of winners was as follows:

SPECIALIST PRODUCT CATEGORIES

BEST SITE WITH A LICENCE TO SELL ALCOHOL

Carlton Village Service Station

Barnsley

South Yorkshire

BEST CAR CARE AND LUBRICANTS OUTLET

Pelican Service Station

Whitehaven

Cumbria

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Red Tiles Service Station

Witton Gilbert

Durham

BEST DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

Brobot Corby Southern Gateway

Corby

Northamptonshire

BEST DISPLAY OF CHILLED FOOD

Longs Corner Service Station

Howden

East Yorkshire

BEST ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY OUTLET

James Graven of Littleport

Littleport

Cambs

BEST FOOD TO GO

Welcome Break

Birchanger

M11 Motorway

Bishops Stortfold

Herts

BEST FORECOURT FACILITIES

Longs Corner Service Station

Howden

East Yorkshire

BEST FORECOURT INNOVATION

Euro Garages

Rivington Services

M61 Southbound/Northbound

Bolton

Lancashire

BEST HOT BEVERAGES OUTLET

Moto Hospitality

Leigh Delamere East Forecourt

M4 Jct 17/18

Chippenham

Wiltshire

BEST SITE MANAGER

Budgens of Wells

Wells

Somerset

BEST SOFT DRINKS OUTLET

Brookfields Morley

Leeds

West Yorkshire

REGIONAL CATEGORIES

NORTHERN IRELAND

UP TO 2.5MLPA

Eurospar Mayobridge

Newry

Down

2.5MLPA PLUS

Henderson Retail

Spar Glenwell

Newtownabbey

Antrim

OVERALL NORTHERN IRELAND WINNER:

SCOTLAND

UP TO 2.5MLPA

Auld Brig Service Station

Alloa

Clackmannanshire

OVERALL SCOTLAND WINNER: AULD BRIG SERVICE STATION

MIDLANDS

UP TO 2.5MLPA

Symonds Forecourts

London Road Garage

Gloucester

2.5MLPA PLUS

Euro Garages

Uttoxeter Services

Derby Road, A50,

Staffordshire

OVERALL MIDLANDS WINNER: UTTOEXETER SERVICES

NORTHERN ENGLAND

UP TO 2.5MLPA

Townfoot Garage

Alston

Cumbria

2.5MLPA PLUS

Formby Service Station

Formby

Merseyside

OVERALL NORTHERN ENGLAND WINNER: Townfoot Garage

WEST COUNTRY & WALES

UP TO 2.5MLPA

A’l Ferched

Penfro

Crymych

Pembrokeshire

2.5MLPA PLUS

Budgens of Wells

Wells

Somerset

OVERALL WEST COUNTRY & WALES WINNER: BUDGENS OF WELLS

LONDON & SOUTH EAST

UP TO 2.5MLPA

Murco/Costcutter

Canvey Island

Essex

2.5MLPA PLUS

Queenborough Services

Isle of Sheppey

Kent

OVERALL LONDON & SOUTH EAST WINNER: QUEENBOROUGH SERVICES

FORECOURT TRADER OF THE YEAR: BUDGENS OF WELLS

Topics