Be proactive, not reactive!

A good first impression is a forecourt’s ticket to the continued success of attracting transitory drivers and is vital for encouraging loyalty from existing customers. It stands to reason that the site’s exterior is the first thing that drivers notice, so a dirt-stained façade is far from ideal. Potential customers may view neglected premises as a negative reflection of the business as a whole.

This concept extends to the signage, canopy, store frontage, car wash, lighting, electric vehicle (EV) charge points and fuel dispensers, as well as the forecourt itself.

The majority of site owners recognise the importance of organising regular cleaning sessions on the forecourt, surrounding areas and in the store. As part of a daily routine, staff can remove litter from the site, empty the bins, attend to minor spillages and dust the shelves in the shop, alongside periodic checks of all public spaces including the washrooms.

This type of chore, whilst tedious, is essential for all retail environments to maintain business values and ensure the safety of customers visiting the site. However, staff cannot be expected to tackle the more challenging areas of the forecourt that may require professional third-party intervention.

Care Protect Maintenance

Canopy roof

A canopy in tip-top condition has the ability to attract visitors from a wide catchment area, increase site and shop traffic and consequently boost profits. The canopy should be clean and well-illuminated, with clear, strong branding to appeal to passing motorists who need to refuel or stock up on essentials from the convenience store.

Due to their inaccessible nature, canopies and fascia panels are often overlooked by site managers and as a result, experience an unsightly build-up of grime and particulate matter.

Moreover, cobwebs and dust will gather on the canopy lighting, making the site gloomy and unwelcoming, especially when combined with broken or defective lamps that need to be repaired or replaced. All of these elements can detrimentally affect the site’s throughput and inevitably give rise to a fall in both fuel and shop sales.

Situations such as this are better handled by a team of specialists, who have the requisite experience in the petrochemical industry and the right tools for the job. At the site owner’s convenience, these professionals can help restore the canopy, lighting and fascia panels to their former splendour.

Signage

Clean, current and well-maintained signage conveys integrity, reliability and credibility, whilst unkempt signs in poor condition can adversely influence the customer’s perception of the business.

There are four fundamental types of signage; branding, promotional, directional and safety. Each one plays an important role in operational success.

Branding creates a distinct identity for the business, showcasing its commitment to offering quality products or services and differentiating the business from its competitors. Promotional signs grab the attention of both frequent and transient customers to inform them of the details of a site’s current marketing campaigns, such as meal deal offers. The presence of mandatory safety signs is to warn visitors of the potential dangers on and around the site by the use of a simple visual representation, whilst directional notices provide guidance to the public navigating the forecourt and store.

All forecourt signage should be kept clean and free from rust, to extend the lifespan and prevent long-term damage. Tears or vandalism should be attended to immediately and where repair is not possible, the sign will need to be replaced. A proactive approach to sign maintenance will help preserve the authenticity of the brand and safeguard the site’s reputation.

Forecourts & dispensing equipment

Every day, dispensing equipment is subject to scuff marks, fuel drips and fingerprints, and should be wiped down and checked for damage at the end of each day. Unfortunately, this daily cleaning routine is not sufficient to keep the equipment in first-rate condition and ought to be supplemented by an intense cleaning schedule, during which the branding decals can be checked and replaced as necessary.

The busier the site, the more likely it is that the concrete surface of the forecourt will suffer oil and fuel spills, especially in immediate proximity to the dispensing equipment. The area can also become littered with gum and other hard-to-remove waste, which may ultimately lead to customer complaints or lost business. A specialist deep clean will re-energise the business and present a professional image to its clientele.

TSG is here to help

TSG Technics fully understands the importance of effective cleaning and maintenance management on retail forecourts, commercial operations and vehicle wash stations. TSG is the largest service and equipment provider in the industry with more than 30 years of experience in installation, service and maintenance, supporting independent networks, multinational oil companies and supermarkets across the UK.

TSG’s Care & Protect solution* is an intense cleaning and maintenance programme for all site equipment, including dispensers, EV chargers, car wash facilities, lighting, canopies, forecourt and signage. It has been designed to meet the needs of modern, multi-functional forecourts, revitalising ageing sites and restoring newer or refurbished sites to their original status.

Care & Protect is a simple and affordable proactive approach to preventative maintenance, keeping forecourt equipment looking and operating at its best, extending its lifespan and presenting a polished appearance to staff and customers alike.

By selecting one trusted supplier for all inspections and remedial works, site owners can stay in control of maintenance costs and reduce the possibility of unplanned callouts and unforeseen downtime.

TSG’s Care & Protect Package covers the following areas:

  • Branding (external and internal)
  • Signage (external and internal)
  • Forecourt canopies and structural repair
  • Main identification display/totems
  • External site illumination
  • Internal site illumination
  • Area/line and floor graphics
  • External décor including fuel dispensers
  • Internal décor
  • Car wash maintenance
  • Fuel dispenser maintenance
  • Surface/canopy and under sheeting high-pressure cleanse
  • Vertical surface mould and algae treatment
  • Perimeter boundary and fencing repairs
  • Weed treatments
  • Forecourt cleaning supplies (all requirements)
  • Regulatory health and safety notices
  • Electrical  and hazard area testing

How it works

Before a Care & Protect contract can be prepared, each forecourt must undergo an extensive site survey to identify areas of concern that would derive benefit from TSG’s intense cleaning and maintenance service.

The proposed service level will be dependent on the outcome of the inspection. Forecourt owners are then able to add or remove elements from the plan before the final course of action and preferred timescale are agreed upon, creating the ideal package for their site or network.

Retailers can safeguard their business investment by choosing the Care & Protect solution from TSG Technics.

*Please note: all of the Care & Protect cleaning and maintenance solutions are carried out by a TSG company – DRB UK Limited.

TSG products, services and solutions

TSG UK supplies, installs and maintains a wide range of products and equipment for the retail fuel sector, including but not limited to:

  • Tokheim and Wayne dispensers
  • EV charge points
  • New energy dispensers
  • AdBlue solutions
  • Payment terminals
  • Self-checkout
  • Forecourt media solutions
  • Kärcher car wash systems and associated cleaning products
  • Fleet solutions
  • Tank gauging
  • Electronic point-of-sale (EPOS)
  • Service and maintenance
  • Training
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