Forecourts have evolved far beyond simple fuel stations. Across the UK—and particularly in London and the South East—landlords and investors are repositioning forecourts as multi-use retail, convenience, and service destinations.
Driven by the energy transition, changing consumer behaviour, and the rise of EV charging, forecourt retail sites now attract national operators, QSR brands, car wash franchises, and parcel logistics providers. This shift is creating compelling real-estate opportunities for investors seeking income diversification and long-term resilience.
Fraser Bond advises fuel retailers, developers, and investors on identifying and structuring forecourt retail opportunities that align with future mobility trends.
Sites combining ultra-rapid EV chargers with cafés, convenience stores, and rest areas are expanding across major routes and urban areas. These hubs replace declining fuel volumes with high-margin retail and food-to-go revenues.
Fast-food, coffee, and bakery brands are partnering with forecourt operators under franchise or lease agreements. Demand for small-format drive-thru plots (0.25–0.75 acre) is strong in commuter and suburban locations.
Hand and automated car wash brands are re-occupying redundant fuel bays. With proper water-use and environmental controls, these uses deliver stable rental income.
Retail logistics groups are leasing forecourt land for parcel lockers or micro-fulfilment nodes—an efficient, low-impact use that enhances site footfall.
Developers are redeveloping ageing petrol stations into mixed-use forecourts featuring EV charging, small convenience retail, and flexible kiosk units.
High-Traffic Visibility – Prime roadside frontage and consistent vehicle flow.
Resilient Income – Long-lease opportunities with national tenants and franchises.
Adaptability – Easy conversion between fuel, EV, retail, and service uses.
Sustainability Alignment – EV infrastructure supports ESG-aligned investment mandates.
Institutional Demand – Forecourt portfolios are now trading as core income-producing assets.
| Factor | Investor / Landlord Focus | Fraser Bond Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Site Access & Planning | Ingress/egress, safety, A-road frontage | Secure planning for mixed retail & EV uses early |
| Tenant Mix & Covenant | Fuel, QSR, and retail brand strength | Target multi-tenant occupancy to reduce risk |
| Lease Structure | Long leases (10–25 yrs) with indexed rent | Include redevelopment and assignment flexibility |
| Environmental Compliance | Decontamination, drainage, water runoff | Commission Phase 1/2 assessments pre-purchase |
| Power Capacity | DNO connection for EV & refrigeration | Assess grid capacity during acquisition due diligence |
| Valuation Metrics | Rent per sq ft / acre yield comparison | Use yield compression trends in EV-retail hybrids |
Expansion of EV Forecourts – Gridserve, MFG, and Shell Recharge continue to build next-generation forecourts with rapid chargers and retail partnerships.
Redevelopment Pipeline – Many 1980s–1990s petrol stations are being rebuilt for EV-retail hybrid use.
Retail Brand Demand – Coffee chains, food-to-go, and parcel operators are competing for forecourt space in suburban and roadside catchments.
London & South-East Focus – Higher vehicle traffic and strong consumer density make these the most profitable regions for redevelopment.
Fraser Bond’s commercial property specialists help clients:
Source & Appraise Sites – Identify high-visibility locations with strong access and redevelopment potential.
Feasibility & Financial Modelling – Evaluate capex, yield, and operator rental forecasts.
Tenant & Franchise Partnering – Introduce QSR, retail, EV, and car-wash operators.
Lease & Investment Structuring – Negotiate long-term, inflation-linked leases protecting investor return.
ESG & Planning Advisory – Manage compliance, drainage, and grid-connection requirements.
To explore forecourt retail investment or leasing opportunities in the UK, contact the team at FraserBond.com for tailored advisory support.
