New Road Service Station in Wiltshire has transformed the site of an old World War One Nissan hut into a Budgens convenience store with Murco-branded forecourt and a Post Office.

It took owner Brendan Smith two years to complete the revamp in Codford St Mary, through his own efforts and by using local building trade suppliers to do the structural build, flooring and also installing solar panels that allow them to generate some of their own power.

Brendan said: “The ambition has always been to improve the range and quality of retail services that we can provide to our local community. That wish was shaped further when I saw what was being achieved at other Budgens stores. We wanted our customers to get a sense of quality when they shop at our new store and I believe we are offering this now.”

Although the villagers lamented the departure of the old building at the official opening, there was widespread recognition that the village required more than the previous small garage shop. The first 100 customers received a free bottle of wine and children from the local Wylye Valley primary school came over and each received a goody bag of treats.

One local resident described the new shop as one of the best things to happen to the village in years, as it meant an end to her 14 mile round trip into the nearby town of Warminster every time she needed to shop.

Brendan said that his 2,225sq ft Budgens Codford store would be selling ranges of local produce, from Planks potatoes, Paxcroft Farm eggs, a meat range from Jon Thorner’s, Rose Farm preserves and a range of beers from the Box Stream Brewery in Holt, Wiltshire. Household coal is also being sourced from Squires Coal Services of Warminster.

Budgens’ emphasis on Fresh food has allowed Brendan to dedicate 25% of the available sales space to produce, meat, dairy and bakery products. Hot and cold drinks, a Cuisine de France range of hot food and an ATM providing free cash withdrawals are also incorporated into the store’s layout, along with a strong off licence section of chilled beers and wines.

In addition, Brendan runs his own car servicing and MOT business from the site and as well as his Real Coach Hire fleet of 11 coaches.

Topics