Euro Garages motors ahead with Greggs deal

EURO Garages has signed a deal with Greggs to allow the bakery chain to open stores at its forecourts.

Blackburn-based Euro Garages, which has 76 forecourts, said the first Greggs shops will oopen at its newly developed site in Bury with further roll-outs in the near future.

The move follows Greggs’ recent move into industrial estates and retail parks as it continues its expansion outside of traditional high street locations.

Mike Kavanagh, retail development manager at Greggs, said: “Euro Garages is the perfect partner for our ongoing expansion plans. We believe that there’s room for significant growth in the petrol forecourt retail sector and they share our own values and have a strong business model.

“We’re keen to move to non-standard locations – taking Greggs to where the customers are. This is an important part of our strategy moving forward.

Euro Garages, which was formed t eight years ago by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa with a single petrol station, is the UK’s second biggest independent forecourt operator. It sells around 300m litres of fuel each year and has a turnover of £260m.

It has grown by redeveloping run-down petrol stations and partnering with brands such as SPAR and Subway to provide franchised fast food and convenience stores at it sites.

Mohsin said: “It’s essential for us to strike partnerships with strong brands. Greggs places as much importance on quality of customer service as we do at Euro Garages and this is a crucial factor when continuing to grow the estate.”