A new £1.7million convenience retail store in Balfron welcomed has welcomed its first customers while creating local 13 jobs.
The new store is on the site of a former workshop and car dealership Shearers.
Fuel and jet wash services will also soon be available at the site from the end of March.
Highland Fuels, the employee-owned Scottish company behind the project, initially opened the doors to the new convenience store on Buchanan Street last Thursday, January 30 following a major investment to redevelop the property after acquiring the site in October 2022.
Agents for the company recently told Stirling District Licensing Board members that a survey prior to opening had shown that around 30 per cent of the local residents anticipated they would rely on the premises for fuel and “a significant number” suggesting they would also rely on the premises for groceries.
Highland Fuels is implementing a broader capital investment programme into its network to address the increasing demand for convenience-focused forecourt retailing, including expanded grocery selections and food-to-go offerings.
Speaking about the opening of what will be their 16th petrol station, Highland Fuels Retail Director, Allan Murdoch, said: “We are delighted to open today to provide the community of Balfron and the surrounding area a new quality of retail convenience together with Morrisons Daily. The accompanying forecourt services will open in a few weeks’ time, enabling the community to purchase fuel locally without incurring a long drive to the nearest retailer.
“In keeping with the rural setting, the new Morrisons Daily will have a farm shop feel and stock quality products from local companies such as Aulds the Bakers and authentic Indian ready meals from Praveen Kumar – as well as a Pret Express coffee offering – and everyday grocery essentials you’d expect to find in a supermarket.
“It is so exciting to bring this project to fruition in what is a wonderful community. We have been based in the local community centre for the duration of the redevelopment and have already engaged with many members of the community who are very much looking forward to today’s opening. We are also delighted to have established new employment for 13 roles for those within the community that we serve.”
The newly developed forecourt area has 22 car parking spaces including two accessible parking bays at the front of the shop. Pay at Pump technology will also be available, giving fuel customers the ability to purchase fuel outside of store opening hours. A new jet-wash facility has been installed to the rear of the site to provide customers with a range of differing wash programmes for their cars.
With roots in the north of Scotland, Highland Fuels is an independent fuel distributor, operating 11 depots, 16 petrol stations and a fleet of 50 road tankers serving the country. It has 260 employees based across its operations which stretch from Lerwick, Shetland and south to Manchester. The company became employee-owned in August 2023.
Retail Director, Allan Murdoch, said: “We are actively progressing further investment opportunities across our existing estate as well as identifying new locations.”