Midlands: up to 2.5mlpa

Pinda and Paul Cheema have had plenty of success running award- winning local stores and now they have proved they can win in the forecourt sector too with their Texaco site at Tile HIll, Coventry.

When they took over the site in December 2013 it was their first forecourt and they immediately changed the layout of the store to suit their shoppers’ needs and sales rose from £14,000 to £27,000 within six months.

They are also on course to achieve their target of growing fuel sales from 1.5mlpa to 1.75mlpa.

Paul Cheema says: "We have developed a strong convenience store with a well-maintained forecourt and changed customer behaviour. Previously transient customers have become regulars and this is because we are providing great customer service and experience. At the heart of our winning formula are our staff who are committed to the business. We have established a financial reward scheme which incentivises them to win new customers, including corporate clients."

Midlands: 2.5mlpa plus

Euro Garages’ £2.3m Markham Vale development serves business and social commuters travelling in and around junction 29A of the M1.

In addition to the new-to-industry petrol station, forecourt facilities include a Spar store with Starbucks drive-thru, Subway and Greggs, and a total of 55 parking spaces.

Ilyas Munshi (left), commercial director says: "Markham Vale is an exciting addition to our national estate of forecourts.

"It is another forecourt development that Euro Garages has invested in, not only from a capital perspective but a people viewpoint, creating much-needed jobs for local people in the current economic climate. In total, we have created about 60 jobs with one third being secured by individuals who were unemployed."

northern England: up to 2.5mlpa

Woodham Services at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is a busy forecourt with a small 400sq ft store situated in the middle of a densely populated housing estate, and has overcome fierce competition from major supermarket groups to continually grow its sales.

Despite having a Sainsbury’s Local as a neighbour and a Tesco Extra just half a mile away, the site is averaging 1,400 customers a day, operating from 6am to 11pm seven days a week.

The shop is achieving sales of £24,000 a week, excluding fuel, PayPoint and the National Lottery, and turnover for its cash machine exceeds £20,000 in a good week.

Shan Sandanarajah says: "We are known for our customer service provided by uniformed staff with throrough product knowledge and a helpful nature.

"We provide a good range of products which are reasonably priced and some strong promotions."

northern England: 2.5mlpa plus

Beehive Service Station is on one of the main gateways into Blackburn and has continued to build on its consumer offer since it won the overall Forecourt Trader of the Year Award in 2011.

Fuel volumes are in excess of 12mlpa, and in addition to its 24-hour Spar store, Starbucks drive thru, Subway and on-site pharmacy, it added a Greggs last year.

Ilyas Munshi, commercial director, says: "Beehive Service Station is popular with motorists frequenting the M65 and other arterial roads in the surrounding area. For example, the Starbucks drive-thru serves as an excellent meeting venue for local businesses wanting to entertain staff, customers and suppliers."

He adds: "Since opening as a new-to- industry location in 2010, Beehive has gone from strength to strength and is an exemplar site delivering excellent facilities for the welfare of motorists."

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