Bhupa, Lata and Jay Gohil of Cosford Garage, Albrighton in the West Midlands, took the top prize at last night’s Forecourt Trader of the Year awards, held at the London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel.

At a sell-out ceremony attended by nearly 700 guests, and hosted by TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, the Gohils were presented with a succession of awards, including Best Customer Service and Best Neighbourhood Site, before being presented with the shiny silver trophy and cheque for £3,000 that comes with being Forecourt Trader of the Year.

The owners of Cosford Garage describe themselves as being progressive, ambitious, retailers, always striving to improve their offer to meet the needs of customers.

“Our site offers excellent retail standards but also brings the individuality, friendliness, community feel and entrepreneurial qualities found within an independent, family-run business,” said Jay.

A Special Award in Recognition of Services to the Industry was presented to architect Alec Cornish-Trestrail, founder of ACT Design. Alec, who is 71 and now retiring, has played a huge part in the success of seven previous winners of the Forecourt Trader of the Year award, His talented architectural design is evident not just on the award-winning forecourts, but many other award-worthy sites.

Last year’s Forecourt Trader of the Year winner, Patrick Sewell, who was involved in the judging of this year’s awards, was crowned Retailer Champion following an online vote.

>> Visit the awards website

AWARD WINNERS

Specialist categories

BEST SITE WITH A LICENCE TO SELL ALCOHOL

Michelle Hall

Spar Bluebell Way, Lancashire

BEST CAR CARE AND LUBRICANTS OUTLET

Nick BakerNewton Park Service Station, Coatham Mundeville, County Durham

BEST DISPLAY OF CHILLED FOOD

Gary Brady

Spar Brackenvale, Carryduff, County Antrim

 

BEST CONFECTIONERY OUTLET

Damian Lewis

Roadchef Strensham North, M5 Northbound, Worcestershire

BEST CRISPS AND SNACKS OUTLET

Marcel Grabowski

Esso Kings Drive in Eastbourne, East Sussex

 

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohil

Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands

 

BEST ECO FRIENDLY OUTLET

Michelle Hall

Spar Bluebell Way, Preston, Lancashire

BEST FOOD-TO-GO OUTLET

Salim Hassan

Euro Garages Blackford Bridge, Bury, Lancashire

BEST FORECOURT FACILITIES
Donald Logue

Toomey Rochford Filling Station, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

BEST HOT BEVERAGES OUTLET

Marcel Grabowski

Esso Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex

BEST SOFT DRINKS OUTLET

Daniel Hall

Esso Oswestry, Shropshire

 

BEST TOBACCO RETAILER

Tanya Wooster and David Agnew

Moto Toddington, M1 Southbound, Toddington, Bedfordshire

BEST USE OF RETAIL TECHNOLOGY

Conor McKibbin

Brennans Spar, Seaforde, County Down

 

RETAIL CATEGORIES

 

RURAL

 

OIL COMPANY-OWNED/FRANCHISEE, COMMISSION AGENT

Pradeepkumar Sanmugarajah

Murco Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire

INDEPENDENT DEALER, WITH UP TO NINE SITES

Conor McKibbin

Brennans Spar, Seaforde, Co Down

 

BEST RURAL SITE OVERALL

Conor McKibbin

Brennans Spar, Seaforde, Co Down

 

 

 

 

NEIGHBOURHOOD

 

OIL COMPANY/SUPERMARKET OWNED AND MANAGED

Marcel Grabowski

Esso Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex

OIL COMPANY-OWNED/FRANCHISEE, COMMISSION AGENT

Sara Carvill

Saintfield Service Station, Saintfield, Co Down

INDEPENDENT DEALER, WITH UP TO NINE SITES

Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohill

Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands

INDEPENDENT DEALER – 10 SITES OR MORE

Salim Halsam

Euro Garages, Blackford Bridge, Bury, Lancashire

 

BEST NEIGHBOURHOOD SITE OVERALL

Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohil

Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands

 

 

MAIN ROUTE

OIL COMPANY/SUPERMARKET OWNED AND MANAGED

Gary Brady

Spar Brackenvale, Carryduff, Co Antrim

 

OIL COMPANY-OWNED/FRANCHISEE, COMMISSION AGENT

Colin Parkinson

Scaffod Filling Station, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh

 

DEALER, WITH UP TO NINE SITES

Tom Bell

Torgrange Filling Station, Holywood, Co Down

 

INDEPENDENT DEALER - 10 SITES OR MORE

Raj Patel

First Point Services, Brookfield Group, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

 

BEST MAIN ROUTE SITE OVERALL

Gary Brady

Spar Brackenvale, Carryduff, Co Antrim

 

BEST MOTORWAY SITE

Barry Rowsell

Esso Magor, Magor, Gwent

 

RETAILER CHAMPION

Patrick Sewell

SPECIAL AWARD

Alec Cornish-Trestrail

OIL COMPANY INITIATIVE

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Total

WINNER

Shell

 

FORECOURT TRADER OF THE YEAR

Bhupa, Lata & Jay Gohil

Cosford Garage, Albrighton, West Midlands