Ascona reopens Machynlleth Service Station after £3m investment

Independent forecourt operator Ascona Group has reopened its Machynlleth Service Station in North Wales.

The site, which had been closed for six months as it underwent a £3m redevelopment programme, officially reopened its doors to customers and the local community once again on August 24. 

“This is a significant moment for Ascona as it’s the largest investment we have made in a Welsh site to date, a real symbol of focus on investing in the country and the success of our redevelopment and modernisation strategy,” Darren Briggs, Ascona chief executive, said.

In line with Ascona’s strategy to develop the next evolution of roadside retail destinations, the redevelopment has expanded the site’s existing Nisa Retail store, which spans 3,500 sq ft and now offers an extended range of products and food-to-go offerings.

The site also features an expanded car park and a new roll-over and jet car wash. As part of the Group’s commitment to sustainability, Ascona is currently exploring suitable EV charging solutions to be installed on site.

Since reopened for trading, the site has exceeded all expectations and is now anticipated to generate in excess of 100kls in fuel sales and £50,000 a week in retail shop sales, the group said.

“In transforming this site, we are providing our customers and the local community with a high-quality roadside retail destination that caters to their specific needs and it is truly exciting to see it open for business once again and trading so well,” Briggs said.

“My thanks must go to C+A Design and Toureen Group for designing and building our vision, and to the entire Ascona team for their continued hard work.”

To celebrate the reopening, Ascona held an event on site which included a raffle with prizes including a Monster Energy skateboard, hospitality for two at Parc Y Scarlets, and petrol vouchers. Ticket sales for the raffle raised £279 for the Wales Air Ambulance, Ascona’s charity partner for 2023-24.

Briggs said the group will now turn its focus to new redevelopment opportunities across multiple sites in its portfolio, with another two significant projects planned in Wales for 2024.

Headquartered in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Ascona is one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators, with 62 sites across the UK.