Top 50 Indie HKS has more than doubled in size to just under 60 sites, after taking over fellow Top 50 Indie Brobot, following the addition of seven sites bought from Shell three months ago.

In the most recent Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies, published in March, Leicester-based HKS was ranked 10th with 27 sites, and Brobot, which is also based in Leicestershire, was 11th with 26 sites (including three investment sites).

Based on the March listing HKS would rise to fifth. Following the deals HKS expects annualised turnover to rise to £250m, compared with £100m last year, and its estate stretches from Yorkshire to Surrey.

Brobot was founded by John Bootle in 1978 with a single site at Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray, and expanded through acquisitions over the years. John Bootle died in 1996, following which Brobot continued its growth under the chairmanship of his wife, Pat Bootle, and executive directors Bridget Smith and Eddie Bright.

Shane Thakrar, chief executive at HKS Holdings, commented: “On behalf of the entire company and the Thakrar family, we’re delighted at the addition of the new locations to the HKS group, which will help us to increase our offering to customers across the country.

“We’re delighted to have the continued support from HSBC, along with the great work KPMG and Eversheds have completed on our behalf during this transaction.

“We’d also like to extend our thanks to the Bootle family, Eddie Bright and Bridget Smith from Brobot for trusting us with the acquisition and taking these sites forward in the future.

“We look forward to welcoming the new members of our team on board to work alongside our existing committed team of individuals, who provide the strength behind our growth strategy.”

He said they would be looking for opportunities to strengthen the convenience offer and food to go in the acquired sites, and this week Subway stores were already being added to two of the Shell sites.

He added that they would be reviewing the branding of the stores – HKS recently signed a deal with Spar while Brobot is predominantly Londis – and the fuel, but he emphasised that they wanted to continue to work with Jet.

Eddie Bright commented: “I would only like to comment on how much we’ve enjoyed being part of the industry and how the sale has given us the opportunity to head off in a new direction.  The uniting of HKS and Brobot is a great fit that will make HKS a strong and dominant force in the Midlands and we wish HKS every success as they grow in the future.”

HKS had already had a busy year having recently signed deals with Spar to brand the majority of its forecourt shops, as well as Subway and Costa.

In addition, HKS won two categories in the recent Forecourt Trader Awards, and was Business of the Year at the Midlands Asian Business Awards.

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