Bhupa, Lata and Jay Gohil of Cosford Garage, Albrighton in the West Midlands, took the top prize at last night’s Forecourt Trader of the Year awards, held at the London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel.
At a sell-out ceremony attended by nearly 700 guests, and hosted by TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, the Gohils were presented with a succession of awards, including Best Customer Service and Best Neighbourhood Site, before being presented with the shiny silver trophy and cheque for £3,000 that comes with being Forecourt Trader of the Year.
The owners of Cosford Garage describe themselves as being progressive, ambitious, retailers, always striving to improve their offer to meet the needs of customers.
“Our site offers excellent retail standards but also brings the individuality, friendliness, community feel and entrepreneurial qualities found within an independent, family-run business,” said Jay.
A Special Award in Recognition of Services to the Industry was presented to architect Alec Cornish-Trestrail, founder of ACT Design. Alec, who is 71 and now retiring, has played a huge part in the success of seven previous winners of the Forecourt Trader of the Year award, His talented architectural design is evident not just on the award-winning forecourts, but many other award-worthy sites.
Last year’s Forecourt Trader of the Year winner, Patrick Sewell, who was involved in the judging of this year’s awards, was crowned Retailer Champion following an online vote.
AWARD WINNERS
Specialist categories
BEST SITE WITH A LICENCE TO SELL ALCOHOL
Michelle Hall
Spar Bluebell Way, Lancashire
BEST CAR CARE AND LUBRICANTS OUTLET
Nick BakerNewton Park Service Station, Coatham Mundeville, County Durham
BEST DISPLAY OF CHILLED FOOD
Gary Brady
Spar Brackenvale, Carryduff, County Antrim
BEST CONFECTIONERY OUTLET
Damian Lewis
Roadchef Strensham North, M5 Northbound, Worcestershire
BEST CRISPS AND SNACKS OUTLET
Marcel Grabowski
Esso Kings Drive in Eastbourne, East Sussex
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohil
Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands
BEST ECO FRIENDLY OUTLET
Michelle Hall
Spar Bluebell Way, Preston, Lancashire
BEST FOOD-TO-GO OUTLET
Salim Hassan
Euro Garages Blackford Bridge, Bury, Lancashire
BEST FORECOURT FACILITIES
Donald Logue
Toomey Rochford Filling Station, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
BEST HOT BEVERAGES OUTLET
Marcel Grabowski
Esso Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex
BEST SOFT DRINKS OUTLET
Daniel Hall
Esso Oswestry, Shropshire
BEST TOBACCO RETAILER
Tanya Wooster and David Agnew
Moto Toddington, M1 Southbound, Toddington, Bedfordshire
BEST USE OF RETAIL TECHNOLOGY
Conor McKibbin
Brennans Spar, Seaforde, County Down
RETAIL CATEGORIES
RURAL
OIL COMPANY-OWNED/FRANCHISEE, COMMISSION AGENT
Pradeepkumar Sanmugarajah
Murco Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire
INDEPENDENT DEALER, WITH UP TO NINE SITES
Conor McKibbin
Brennans Spar, Seaforde, Co Down
BEST RURAL SITE OVERALL
Conor McKibbin
Brennans Spar, Seaforde, Co Down
NEIGHBOURHOOD
OIL COMPANY/SUPERMARKET OWNED AND MANAGED
Marcel Grabowski
Esso Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex
OIL COMPANY-OWNED/FRANCHISEE, COMMISSION AGENT
Sara Carvill
Saintfield Service Station, Saintfield, Co Down
INDEPENDENT DEALER, WITH UP TO NINE SITES
Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohill
Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands
INDEPENDENT DEALER – 10 SITES OR MORE
Salim Halsam
Euro Garages, Blackford Bridge, Bury, Lancashire
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD SITE OVERALL
Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohil
Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands
MAIN ROUTE
OIL COMPANY/SUPERMARKET OWNED AND MANAGED
Gary Brady
Spar Brackenvale, Carryduff, Co Antrim
OIL COMPANY-OWNED/FRANCHISEE, COMMISSION AGENT
Colin Parkinson
Scaffod Filling Station, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
DEALER, WITH UP TO NINE SITES
Tom Bell
Torgrange Filling Station, Holywood, Co Down
INDEPENDENT DEALER - 10 SITES OR MORE
Raj Patel
First Point Services, Brookfield Group, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
BEST MAIN ROUTE SITE OVERALL
Gary Brady
Spar Brackenvale, Carryduff, Co Antrim
BEST MOTORWAY SITE
Barry Rowsell
Esso Magor, Magor, Gwent
RETAILER CHAMPION
Patrick Sewell
SPECIAL AWARD
Alec Cornish-Trestrail
OIL COMPANY INITIATIVE
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Total
WINNER
Shell
FORECOURT TRADER OF THE YEAR
Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohil
Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands
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