Three new forecourt stores will have joined the Budgens group before the end of the first quarter.

The first is in Stadhampton in Oxfordshire, which opened on 12th February, the second will be in Kingsclere in Hampshire and is due late February, and the third will be in Wellington in Somerset and is expected mid-March.

Summit Service Station at Stadhampton, eight miles south of Oxford, has undergone a full rebuild and refit project creating a new 2,335sq ft shop which is owned Mohammed Farooq, a new retail partner for Budgens.

The other two sites are both owned by John Mason of Peregrine Retail, who also operates Budgens stores at Blackhorse, Blashford and Bridgwater. Kingsclere Service Station is a redevelopment of a closed down forecourt and is currently undergoing a full regeneration which will result in a new 2,500sq ft shop being created.

Wellington is a new-to-industry site and will encompass a 2,660sq ft store plus a Subway concession on an edge of town development.

Budgens brand director Mike Baker said: “Our forecourt business is performing really well and we’ve got the balance between convenience and interesting just right. It’s fantastic to see these new stores opening and to be welcoming new retail partners such as Mohammed Farooq. I’m sure he’ll make Stadhampton a great success.”