Karl Brocklehurst of Westbridge Motors in Northampton (pictured) was crowned Forecourt Trader of the Year 2006 during a glittering ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel in Park Lane last night (September 21).
He beat off strong competition from hundreds of other entries to the annual competition run by the petrol-retailing sector’s leading title, Forecourt Trader.
“To be chosen as the Forecourt Trader of the Year is the highest accolade for any petrol retailer,” said the magazine’s editor Merril Boulton. “It is recognition of entrepreneurial skill, imagination and dedication in running a successful business. And that says it all about Westbridge Motors – a long-established traditional forecourt and motor trade business which has developed with the times.”
The 24-hour site has a spacious forecourt, an excellent car wash operation and a superb 2,000 sq ft grocery store, well laid out with a full convenience, alcohol and food-to-go offer, in a modern, clean and fresh environment.
Karl also won the award for Best Use of Retail Technology.
See below for the full list of winners.
FORECOURT TRADER AWARDS 2006
BEST RURAL
- Independent with nine sites or less
Allan Davison, of Jet Roughton Service Station, Norfolk
OVERALL CATEGORY WINNER:
Allan Davison
BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD
- Oil company/supermarket owned and managed:
Vimal Raj of Shinfield Service Station, Reading
- Oil company owned franchisee operated:
Anil Morar, Murco Costcutter, Tadworth, Surrey
- Independent with nine sites or less:
Karl Brocklehurst, Westbridge Motors, Northants
- Independent with 10 sites or more:
Jonathan Mitchel of Spar Millburn Road, Co Derry
OVERALL CATEGORY WINNER: Karl Brocklehurst
BEST MAIN ROUTE
- Oil company/supermarket owned and managed:
Emma Gaunt, United Co-op Crosshills, West Yorkshire
- Independent dealer with nine sites or less:
Sam Hawkes, Brackenvale, Belfast
- Independent dealer with 10 sites or more:
Heena Patel, BP Charnwood (Motor Fuel Group) Loughborough, Leicestershire
OVERALL CATEGORY WINNER: Sam Hawkes
BEST MOTORWAY SITE
Susan Granger, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire
BEST SITE WITH A LICENCE TO SELL ALCOHOL
Russell Miller, Supervalu Dromore, Co Down
BEST CAR CARE & LUBRICANTS OUTLET
Ross Mendenhall, Goldstar MSA, Winchester, Hants
BEST DISPLAY OF CHILLED FOOD
Peter & Pat Bellini, Bellini’s Shipley Common, Ilkeston, Derbyshire
BEST CONFECTIONERY OUTLET
Rajasingam Kajanthan, Wrotham Heath Park & Shop, Kent
BEST CRISPS & SNACKS OUTLET
Heena Patel, BP Charnwood (Motor Fuel Group), Loughborough, Leicester
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Allan Davison, Jet Roughton Service Station, Norfolk
BEST FOOD-TO-GO OUTLET
Steve Tremlett, Somerfield Evesham, Worcestershire
BEST FORECOURT FACILITIES
Sam Hawkes, Brackenvale, Belfast
BEST SOFT DRINKS OUTLET
Glen Biesty, Centra/Jet, Ballymoney
BEST USE OF RETAIL TECHNOLOGY
Karl Brocklehurst, Westbridge Motors, Northants
BEST TOBACCO MERCHANDISING
Jonathan Mitchell, Spar Millburn Road, Co Derry
BEST OIL COMPANY INITIATIVE
WINNER: Total
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Maxol
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