A-road Operators

Co-op branding at Cirencester.

This page summarises the larger, multiple-forecourt operators who can be found on the a-road network. As this site only lists services which are signposted as such from a major road, other operators who are confined to other areas aren't included.

Major fuel brands have or did have their own corporate sites. For these see BP Express, TCS, Star Services, ROC and Shell. The major fuel companies are now selling off significant numbers of sites to independent operators.

Unlike the full motorway service area operators, which run everything self-branded or franchised, these a-road operators generally operate the fuel forecourt and associated shop/café, which explains the wide use of franchised convenience shop brands. Some other facilities, such as motels and restaurants, are ground-leased to independent operators.

Current Operators

The Co-operative Group

See also: Co-op Food

Many Co-op sites within filling stations were taken over with the now defunct Somerfield business.

formed: 2011
locations: ~100
fuel brands: Texaco, Own brand
Co-op website

Sites include

• Braintree (A120)
• Cirencester (A417)
• Cramlington (A19)
• Evesham (A46)
• Minster (A299)
• Polegate (A27)
• Sittingbourne (A249)
• Solstice (A303)
• West Wellow (A36)
• Willowtree (A1)

Euro Garages

See also: Euro Garages

Exelby Services

Exelby Services Ltd are a operator of a group of services spread across north of England, generally larger sites aimed at the HGV trade, but providing facilities for all road users. One of the largest suppliers of bunkered fuel in the UK. Generally trades with Shell fuel forecourts.

formed: 1976
locations: 5
fuel brands: Shell
Exelby Services website

Sites include

• Coneygarth (A1)
• Golden Fleece (A6/M6)
• Ingleby Arncliffe (A19)
• Whitworth (M62)

MFG

See also: MFG

Nightowl Truckstops

Tired BP branding visible at a former Nightowl site.

Formerly the largest provider of truckstop style services nationwide, Nightowl were established from the purchase of BP's corporate truckstop business. The increasing cost of fuel coupled to the burden of the previous large expansion and the expiration of leases, caused the company to shrink considerably, leaving it to be a relatively small player.

Nightowl is now owned by Stobart Group.

formed: 2002
locations: 2
fuel brands: Own brand

Sites include

• Carlisle Truckstop (A689) (industrial estate near M6)
• Rugby Truckstop (A5, advertised as being off the M1)

Former sites include

• Alconbury (A1(M)/A14)
• Barton Park - sold to Moto
• Penrith (M6/A66)
• South Mimms (M25/A1(M)/A1)
• Washington (A1(M)) - close to Washington services
• Wolverhampton (M54) - was signposted from the motorway

BP also owned several truckstops in mainland Europe.

Rontec

See also: Rontec

Rontec was formed in 2011 to take over the assets of TCS which were being sold by owner Total. It is a combination of a number of investors including independent forecourt operator Snax 24.

Former Operators

Bayford Group

A Gulf franchisee which operated sites at Beal, which is now operated by Penny Petroleum, and at Calcutt, which is now operated by BP Express after it was redeveloped.

MRH

See also: MRH

Formerly the largest independent filling station operator in the UK; taken over by MFG in 2018.

Murco Petroleum

See also: MFG

The name for Murco's former filling station sites who operated a number of self branded sites. Costcutter branding was used for their stores. All of these sites are now operated by MFG and are operated under BP, Jet, Shell and Texaco fuel brands.

Snax 24

See also: Rontec

Snax 24 was a company owned by Gerald Ronson which ran petrol forecourts and service areas across the UK. The Snax 24 name could also be used as, and started as the a company in retail shop associated with their forecourts, but in the end their sites were more commonly associated with a Mace store. In 2015 Snax 24 merged with Rontec.

formed: 1993
locations: 43
fuel brands: BP

Former sites include

• Crossbush (A27)
• Rushden (A45)
• Wellingborough (A45)