Following a complete Knock-Down Rebuild (KDRB), JET Retail UK Limited has reopened its company-owned Wheatley Hill site, located on the A181 Durham Road Bypass. The redeveloped site delivers an expanded fuel offer, electric vehicle (EV) charging and a significantly enhanced SPAR convenience store, now with hot food-to-go.
Following a ceremonial ribbon cutting, the newly redeveloped site reopened to the public on Thursday 26 February, marking the completion of a major investment designed to broaden services and improve operational capability.
The redevelopment represents an investment of approximately £4 million and makes Wheatley Hill the fifth company-owned JET site to undergo a full KDRB programme, reflecting continued investment in modern, future-ready forecourts.
“We’re incredibly proud to reopen Wheatley Hill following such a major transformation,” said Graham Clout, retail manager, UK marketing, Phillips 66 Limited.
“We are a customer-focused business, committed to getting drivers back on the road quickly and safely, and this redevelopment ensures the site is equipped to do exactly that.”
For the first time, Wheatley Hill will also offer JET ULTRA Premium Fuels, providing customers with a full four-grade fuel offer: Unleaded, Diesel, ULTRA Unleaded and ULTRA Diesel.
The site also becomes the ninth JET location to feature JET CHARGE, with the installation of four 150kW fast Alpitronic chargers, offering rapid, pay-as-you-go charging for electric vehicle drivers.
Expanded capacity and future-focused services
The rebuild has significantly increased the site’s operational capacity, including the installation of three 75,000-litre underground fuel tanks and a 10,000-litre above-ground AdBlue tank to support HGV operations. The increased storage capacity allows the site to maintain higher fuel availability and support a wider range of transport needs.
“This rebuild has completely changed how the site operates and the experience we can offer customers,” said Michael Bryan, Wheatley Hill service station operator.
“The increased capacity and new services, including JET CHARGE and hot food-to-go, give us far greater flexibility, and we’re really pleased to be welcoming customers back to a transformed site.”
Enhanced retail and food-to-go offer
The SPAR-branded convenience store, supplied by James Hall & Co. Ltd, has expanded its shop floor to 2,155 sq ft, enabling a broader retail range and an enhanced food-to-go offer.
For the first time at the site, customers can access Daily Deli hot food-to-go, alongside well-known brands, including Costa Coffee and Tango Ice Blast.
“The expanded SPAR store creates the opportunity to introduce hot food-to-go at Wheatley Hill for the first time, including Daily Deli, expanding the convenience offer available to customers in the local area,” said Peter Dodding, Sales Director and Chair of the Northern Guild of SPAR Retailers, James Hall & Co. Ltd.
The site operates 24 hours a day and also features a free-to-use hole-in-the-wall ATM, with air, water and jet wash facilities available.
