Oval Motor Company, an established forecourt business in Bradford-on-Avon, has been sold by the Bristol office of specialist business property adviser Christie & Co to Central Convenience Stores for an undisclosed sum.

The site, previously owned by Heritage Automotive, is situated close to Bradford-on-Avon train station and golf course to the west of the town centre. Historically, it has offered car servicing and MOT with a small kiosk-style shop and forecourt to the front of the site.

Texaco supplied fuel to the site and will continue to do so as Central Stores has an existing agreement with Texaco on a number of their other forecourts across the South West.

Dave Morris, business agent in Christie & Co’s Bristol office who handled the sale, commented: “The Oval Motor Company site has great potential to improve the convenience store offering being located in a great trading position within the town.

“With the suggestion from the global food and grocery experts IGD that the convenience sector is to grow 10% in the UK by 2021, forecourts that provide a good convenience store offer are likely to enjoy some of this growth.

“At Christie & Co we are seeing a strong improvement in the forecourt market with numerous independent and corporate operators seeking to expand their already established businesses. First time buyers are also returning to the market with banks open to lend to the right forecourt.”

Tony Start of Central Convenience Stores commented: “This adds yet another forecourt to our portfolio and we are delighted with the acquisition.”

John Walsh of Heritage Automotive commented: “We wish Central continued success with the forecourt, and would like to thank Dave Morris of Christie & Co for bringing the sale to a swift conclusion.”