FT - Hockenhull Garages, The Stage, Wigston, Leicester

Leicester-based Hockenhull Garages-owned site The Stage has been named Forecourt Trader of the Year.

The Stage opened in 2020 following a three-month delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The site cost around £2m to develop by the Hockenhull family.

Forecourt Trader editor Merril Boulton praised The Stage for winning the top award in the industry. “With its huge pear-shaped, solar panel-covered canopy, spacious forecourt and 300sq m building – encompassing a Spar convenience store, Insomnia barista coffee bar, seating area and ’healthy’ all-day food offer from Irish brand Freshly Chopped – as well as its many ‘green’ attributes, The Stage promises to stand out among today’s modern forecourt developments. Built during a pandemic, this circa £2m project in Wigston is now taking ‘centre stage’ in the community.”

The awards, held virtually, were presented by celebrity TV presenter, magician, writer and actor Stephen Mulhern. The event also saw PRA chairman Brian Madderson presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award; and Joe Richardson, managing director of Jos Richardson & Son, win the Special Recognition Award, which was the result of an online vote.

The Forecourt Trader Awards are available to watch on catch-up here.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

REGIONAL AWARDS

SCOTLAND

• Up to 4mlpa

Gulf Forfar, Angus

• 4mlpa plus

Abbiecraig Services, Freuchie, Fife

NORTHERN IRELAND

• Up to 4mlpa

Spar Fortfield, Carrickfergus, Co Antrim

MIDLANDS

• Up to 4mlpa

Applegreen Spaldwick, Huntingdon

• 4mlpa plus

The Stage Service Station, Wigston, Leicester

NORTHERN ENGLAND

• Up to 4mlpa

Spar Townsend Garage, Warton, Lancashire 

• 4mlpa plus

Woodman Service Station, Leeds, West Yorkshire

WEST COUNTRY & WALES

• Up to 4mlpa

Westacre Services, Salisbury, Wiltshire

• 4mlpa plus

Park Wimborne, Dorset

LONDON & SOUTH EAST

• Up to 4mlpa

Hopcroft Holt, Bicester, Oxford

• 4mlpa plus

Fraser’s Budgens Three Mile Cross, Reading, Berkshire

BEST MOTORWAY SERVICES OUTLET

Shell Cobham Motorway Services, M25 

SPECIALIST CATEGORIES

BEST CAR CARE & LUBRICANTS OUTLET

Abbiecraig Services, Freuchie, Fife

BEST COFFEE & HOT BEVERAGES

MFG Barnetby Service Station, Lincolshire

BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Mulkerns EuroSpar, Newry, Co Down

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Fraser’s Budgens Three Mile Cross, Reading, Berkshire

BEST DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

Applegreen Whitley, Warrington, Cheshire

BEST FOOD-TO-GO OUTLET

MFG Barnetby Service Station, Lincolnshire

BEST FORECOURT INNOVATION

Parkfoot Garage, West Malling, Kent

BEST FORECOURT LOO

Abbiecraig Services, Freuchie, Fife

BEST FORECOURT TEAM

Esso Harleston, Norfolk

BEST SITE MANAGER

Ziheed Mohammed, Woodman Service Station, Leeds, West Yorkshire

BEST SOFT DRINKS OUTLET

Woodman Service Station, Leeds, West Yorkshire

BEST VALETING FACILITIES

MFG Overmonnow, Monmouth

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Joe Richardson, managing director Jos Richardson & Son

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Brian Madderson, chairman, Petrol Retailers’ Association

OIL COMPANY INITIATIVE - HIGHLY COMMENDED

Shell, Drive Carbon Neutral

OIL COMPANY INITIATIVE - WINNER

Gulf Retail, Oomph forecourt loyalty platform

FORECOURT TRADER OF THE YEAR

Peter and Joe Hockenhull, The Stage Service Station, Wigston, Leicester