Londis has hailed 2011 as its most successful year for growth within its multi-site accounts business, with a number of forecourt operators signing up to the symbol group last year.

Paul Courtney, Londis sales director, said a total of 65 new stores, owned by major multi-site operators, opened under the Londis fascia last year, including Top 50 Indie FW Kerridge in South England, and Chelvam Group, which operates a mix of nine convenience and forecourt stores in Scotland and England.

Said Courtney: “We are delighted that these major operators have chosen to partner with Londis and develop their businesses with us. These are challenging economic times and we will continue to strengthen our offer to Londis retailers, putting our retail partners at the heart of all that we do.”

As well as increased trade through new multiple account operators, retailers already trading with Londis were also investing in their businesses and opening new stores in 2011.

Penny Petroleum & Top Spot Services Group started trading with Londis in March 2009. Starting out with six stores under the Londis fascia, they’ve expanded their business, opening four new shops last year and investing in a major £120,000 store development in Scotland, which will become their flagship store. They currently have 19 sites trading with Londis.

MPK Garages signed an agreement for Londis to supply its petrol filling station network just over a year ago.  Since signing with Londis they’ve converted 26 stores to the Londis brand and re-fitted a total of eight stores.

Family-owned business Brobot Petroleum is a forecourt retailer based in Nottinghamshire. They began trading with Londis in 2009 with 21 sites, which has since grown to 22, with an intense programme of development planned for 2012 to develop six sites.

Other multiple accounts including Petrocell, the Carsley Group and Symonds Retail have also all opened new stores with Londis in 2011.