Preston Docks Morrisons petrol station in Riversway closes and will reopen under new operator MFG next month
Morrisons has shut its petrol station at Preston Docks and will reopen next month under a different operator.
The forecourt at the supermarket in Riversway is now closed as work gets under way to revamp it ahead of its reopening in July.
MFG (Motor Fuel Group) - the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator - has taken over the petrol station after Morrisons sold 337 of its forecourts to the company in January in a deal worth £2.5billion.
MFG plans to invest an initial £40million into Morrisons forecourts to upgrade the sites and align them with MFG’s existing stations.
Both Morrisons, the UK's fifth largest supermarket, and MFG are owned by U.S. private equity group Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). CD&R paid £7billion pounds for Morrisons in 2021, leaving it with a hefty debt burden.
A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Back in January we announced the sale of 337 Morrisons petrol forecourts to MFG.
“The Preston Riversway forecourt will convert to MFG and reopen in early July.”
What’s changing?
The petrol station will be revamped but will retain its Morrisons branding and the supermarket will continue to supply food and groceries to the forecourt shop. It will also continue to provide the same ‘value-for-money’ supermarket fuel.
But the forecourt and store will be upgraded, with the new operators increasing the range of products available, including ‘improved food-to-go offerings for customers’.
“We will create a truly convenience led retail offering with increased opening hours, alcohol licences where appropriate, and the provision of other services such as the National Lottery,” said MFG following the acquisition earlier this year.
The company has also revealed plans to open a valeting centre and the installation of ultra-rapid EV charging hubs at the Riversway forecourt.
William Bannister, CEO, MFG, said: “We are pleased to announce this initial investment into the re-development of the newly acquired Morrisons sites.
“This is the start of our wider plans to upgrade all of the Morrisons hubs with services to fit all of our customers evolving needs, including ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure, food and valeting.
“Our top priority has always been, and remains our customers and the communities within which our sites are located.
“Therefore, we are committed to ensuring that our investment enhances the look and feel of the newly owned sites, with MFG working in partnership with the highly respected Morrisons brand.”