Valli Forecourts opens huge new canal-side petrol station in Bradford

Top 50 Indie Valli Forecourts is welcoming customers to its latest site, a six-pump-island filling station with a vast forecourt shop and extensive valeting facilities near Bradford’s ring road, and adjacent to a remaining section of the city’s historic canal.

In addition to its standard pumps the BP liveried forecourt features dedicated HGV refuelling positions and an AdBlue dispenser, while drivers in need of valeting are catered for by no fewer than five jet wash bays, in addition to a roll-over automatic car wash. The site also has air/water and vacuum machines, plus a cashpoint.

Valli says developing the new forecourt, which sits alongside a small remaining section of the Bradford Canal, most of which was filled in after it closed in 1922, presented “hurdles we had never faced before”.

Inside, the vast Spar convenience store hosts extensive food and drink offerings, with a Subway concession and two Costa Coffee machines, together with Tango Ice Blast and Coca-Cola Frozen dispensers and a milkshake and smoothie maker.

Leeds-based Valli operates around 18 forecourts and typically either knocks down and rebuilds its acquisitions or constructs new-to-sector sites such as its latest, which sits on Canal Road, adjacent to Bradford’s A6037 ring road.

Valli Forecourt’s business development manager, Adam Valli, says his firm has “stuck to our tried and tested format in the development of Canal Road”, installing “fantastic amenities” and “state of the art car valet facilities”.

“The store is designed to accommodate the evolving needs of the local community as well as support through traffic. We have incorporated an extensive offering with special promotions running to ensure that all customers enjoy their experience when they visit Canal Road.”

Valli thanked his firm’s wholesale partner, James Hall & Co, for the “exceptional support” it has provided throughout the site’s development.

He adds: “While the UK may be facing challenges at present, the opportunity for growth has never been so exciting.

“With any business decision there is a risk, and Canal Road presented some hurdles to navigate which we had never faced before. Having longstanding partnerships and great teamwork gives us the confidence that we can find solutions and deliver a project that adds value to our customers journey.

“As a business we are also actively pursuing new to industry developments, and we hope to make significant progress in expanding our portfolio in 2027.”