Fast-growing forecourt operator Ascona Group has reached 50 sites in the UK and secured backing from Crestline Europe and Nash Business Capital to more than double its portfolio to 120 sites during 2021.
Ascona was founded in 2011 by CEO Darren Briggs, a former strategy executive for Total UK and founder of BigOil.net, who embarked on its current growth strategy in 2018 from its base in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Since then, the business has gone from two to 50 sites across the UK and now serves almost 120,000 customers a week. Its latest forecourt acquisition was a BP-branded Anker Service Station in Nuneaton.
Ascona’s formula for its sites is built around a directly managed estate which it says enables to focus on improving the customer experience. The group tailors each forecourt for its local community and focuses on developing a ‘destination’ roadside retail outlet, with partnerships with Costa and Nisa operating alongside a range of in-house brands.
Briggs commented: “Our 50th site is a real landmark for us and a testament to the successful formula we have built at Ascona. The forecourt sector has been rapidly evolving in the UK, with customers wanting more from their visits, and our innovative range of retail services, including shopping, coffee, food to go and launderettes, is proving increasingly popular
“2020 has been a pivotal year for us and we see a huge future opportunity for both organic and acquisitive growth in the market. We believe we have the team, the formula and the backing to go after it.”
NAM Implications:
- Ascona’s formula for its sites is built around
- A directly managed estate…
- ….which it says enables to focus on improving the customer experience.
- The group tailors each forecourt for its local community…
- …and focuses on developing a ‘destination’ roadside retail outlet…
- …with partnerships with Costa and Nisa operating alongside a range of in-house brands.
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