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A petrol station in Yarnton, which has been operating for more than 100 years but was in danger of closing, has been taken over by the Fraser Group and transformed into a hub of the community. The Fraser Group has bucked the trend of petrol forecourt closures by providing a new forecourt site with a Budgens store, an expanded post office, off licence and Subway franchise as part of the £1 million project.

Says Dan Quest, Budgens Sales Director: "The Fraser Group is an established business with lots of experience in forecourt retailing. I’m delighted they’ve chosen to partner with Budgens."

This is the Fraser Group’s first forecourt site with a Budgens store (they own six forecourt sites altogether). Founded in 1954, the Fraser Group is operated by brothers Robert and Hugh, Robert’s son Nick and now Hugh’s son Jonathan, who has joined the family business as store manager for Yarnton.

Says Jonathan: "With so many petrol stations closing, our business model has completely changed. Fuel is not the prime reason why people come here. We’ve had great support from Budgens every step of the way and customer feedback has been great."

The rebuild took two years in planning and included transforming an 850 sq ft shop into a 2,950 sq ft state-of-the-art Budgens store with longer opening hours, opening 6am till 11pm every day.  As with all Budgens stores, there is a big focus on chilled and fresh foods. Chilled is also a big feature of the off licence section where the expanding wine selection has proved popular with customers. Promotions also feature heavily with five promotional ends in store, prominently placed to be seen as soon as you walk through the door and supported with local leafleting.

Budgens of Yarnton also supports local producers including a baker ‘Le Bon Pain’ just seven miles away; a Cotswold flower supplier, recommended by a fellow Budgens retailer; local eggs and a bespoke chilled section for Oxford-based Newitts pies.