Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd has achieved a major milestone in its 133-history by opening its first new-to-industry forecourt at Eden Service Station near Malton.
The 2,700sq ft Spar store and BP forecourt is on a 1.72-acre plot and its doors were opened to a rush of customers after a £3.5 million investment into the site.
Located just off the A64, it is well positioned for day trippers heading to Scarborough, Whitby, Pickering and the North York Moors, as well as a core local customer base, and it is adjacent to the Eden Camp visitor attraction.
At a celebratory launch and ribbon cutting, members of the Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd’s team were joined by representatives from James Hall & Co. Ltd and local charity Ryedale Special Families after it was announced it would be the store’s charity partner.
It is the 11th forecourt within the Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd business across North, East and West Yorkshire – all with Spar stores serviced by James Hall & Co. Ltd – and the business also has one standalone Spar convenience store.
Highlight features of the store at Eden Service Station include the first co-branded Cheeky Coffee and Clayton Park Bakery Food To Go area which includes a Cheeky Coffee machine, a stand for freshly made Clayton Park deli sandwiches, and a hot food Clayton Park unit.
These are alongside F’Real and Tango Ice Blast machines and a seating area with tables allowing customers to relax and enjoy a break. There is also a comprehensive fresh and ambient food range, competitively priced big brand products, and car care section.
Open 24 hours, the forecourt features eight petrol pumps, two HGV pumps, two jet washes, and one rollover car wash. There is plentiful customer parking, including two dedicated spaces for caravans, and there is air, screen wash, and vacuum facilities, an ATM, and picnic area.
LED lighting is used across the site, with solar panels installed on both the roof of the Spar store and the forecourt canopy. The bright and airy store also has electronic shelf edge labels to display product prices further highlighting its modern look and feel.
Joseph Richardson, managing director of Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd, said: “I am delighted that we have opened Eden Service Station. This has been a two-year project since we bought the land, and I am very pleased to say that it already seems to be a hit with customers.
“We decided to put Cheeky Coffee in for the first time because I have been impressed with the quality and value, and I am aware we are living in a period where people are conscious of spending. I also like the brand – I think it is vibrant, clean, modern, and fun, and we are very hopeful it will be a real success.
“Similarly with Clayton Park, I have watched it develop within the James Hall & Co. Ltd family, and I think the concept really works. Having them both together means that we can take advantage of a variety of linked deals that deliver real value for customers.”
Laura Swales, head of property and acquisitions at Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd, said: “Opening a new forecourt site is a mammoth task for an independent business. I would like to thank Joseph for allowing me to lead on this project and it is a credit to the whole team who have been amazing.
“The support we have received from James Hall & Co. Ltd has also been excellent. From store design who have provided visuals that first enabled us to plan what we wanted through to thorough staff training on the Food To Go area. The ESELs have been very positively received, and IT have been here testing right up to the last-minute ensuring everything went smoothly.”
Neil Millett, retail operations manager at Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd, added: “I also need to thank our dedicated retail sales advisor Tom While who has been exceptional throughout going over and above what you would expect. He has delivered every time we have needed something, and that commitment has been truly appreciated.”
Peter Dodding, sales director at James Hall & Co. Ltd and chairman of the Northern Guild of Spar retailers, said: “Huge congratulations to Joseph Richardson and his team on an outstanding launch.
“We really value the working relationship we have with Joseph and his team. Months of work has gone into getting the site ready for trade, with the reward of a terrific site that they can be proud of which I am sure will be a magnet for customers.
“I am thrilled that we were able to support the ambitions of the business so extensively and the Spar store at Eden Service Station really is the very best of modern convenience retailing.”
Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd is a fifth-generation family business that employs almost 200 people. Originally founded in Goole, it now has its head office at Brackenholme near Howden in East Yorkshire.
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation, family business that is based in Preston, Lancashire. The company operates as SPAR UK’s primary retailer, wholesaler, and distributor for the North of England, and the business serves a network of independent Spar retailers and company-owned Spar stores six days a week.
