Selling a retail forecourt business can be a formidable task; however, a few strategic ‘quick wins’ can help to attract prospective buyers without breaking the bank.
First Impressions
First impressions matter, so having brightly-lit, up-to-date, and clean signage is crucial. Regularly cleaning signs to remove dirt and grime ensures they remain readable and visually pleasing. Illuminated signage, especially with energy-efficient LED lights, increases visibility at night and makes your forecourt stand out. Updating brand colours and logos can give your site a modern and cohesive look, involving repainting signs, updating digital displays and ensuring consistency across all branding elements.
Upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting can create a brighter and more welcoming atmosphere. LED lights consume less energy and have a longer lifespan than traditional lighting options. Ensuring the lighting is bright enough to illuminate the entire forecourt improves security, especially during evening hours. Well-lit areas also deter criminal activity and make customers feel safe, which is a selling point for potential buyers.
Using smart and well-organised promotional displays for products and services can catch the eye of potential buyers. Eye-catching designs and colours make promotional displays stand out. Ensuring that displays are well-organised, clean and easy to navigate helps customers quickly find what they need. Highlighting special offers or new products prominently can attract attention and encourage purchases, making your forecourt more appealing.
Quick Fixes
Forecourt canopies and fascia panels are often overlooked due to their hard-to-reach locations, leading to an unsightly accumulation of grime and particulate matter from air pollution and exhaust fumes. Dirt and cobwebs can gather on the canopy lighting, making the site appear dull and uninviting, especially if a few burnt-out bulbs need replacement. These issues can negatively affect forecourt traffic and deter prospective buyers. Hiring a team of professional cleaners with experience in the petrochemical industry can help restore the canopy, lighting, and fascia panels to their original condition, making the property more attractive and saleable.
Fixing any cracks or potholes on the forecourt is essential for safety and aesthetics. Repairing these issues prevents accidents and injuries, ensuring a safe and welcoming space for customers. A smooth, well-maintained surface looks more professional and enhances the overall image of the forecourt. Regular maintenance also promotes the longevity of the forecourt and reduces long-term repair costs, making the site more appealing to buyers.
Images below showing a canopy before and after a deep clean.
Keep it clean
Regular forecourt cleaning, including fuel pumps, windows, and outdoor display stands, is essential. Implementing a routine cleaning schedule ensures that all areas remain spotless. Furthermore, keeping all equipment neatly organised and easily accessible reduces clutter and elevates the overall customer experience. A clean and organised site is more attractive to potential investors.
If your forecourt includes bathrooms, it’s vital to keep them clean, well-stocked, and in good repair. Regular cleaning maintains hygiene and prevents unpleasant odours. Ensuring the availability of essentials, such as toilet paper, soap and hand towels, is crucial. Minor upgrades, including new fixtures, improved lighting and a fresh coat of paint, can greatly enhance the look and functionality of the restrooms, making the site more marketable
Ensuring that waste bins are plentiful, clean, and regularly emptied is essential. Provide enough waste bins to accommodate customer needs and implement a schedule for regular emptying and cleaning of bins to prevent overflowing and unpleasant odours. Keeping the area around waste bins clean maintains a tidy appearance and suggests good operational management.
Added Value
Adding or improving customer amenities such as air pumps, water stations, jet washes and vacuum cleaners can significantly improve customer satisfaction. Ensuring these amenities are functional and easily accessible, with regular maintenance, adds convenience and improves the overall customer experience.
Installing or upgrading surveillance cameras and ensuring they are visible bolsters security and reassures interested parties about the safety of the premises. Placing cameras in prominent locations deters criminal activity, whilst upgrading to modern systems with features like facial recognition and real-time monitoring can further reinforce site protection.
The Final Touches
Simple landscaping improvements, such as adding low-maintenance plants, trimming hedges and ensuring the grass is well kept, can considerably boost the overall impression. Choosing plants that require minimal care but enhance the visual charm is a cost-effective way to upgrade the look of the forecourt. Regularly trimming hedges and bushes keeps them tidy, while well-kept grass free of weeds improves the overall aesthetic, making your site more attractive to buyers.
TSG is here to help
TSG’s project team boasts over 40 years of expertise in various facets of the petrochemical industry, including cleaning, site décor, branding, signage, electrical services, wash solutions and CCTV installation. TSG’s services benefit forecourts nationwide, supporting independent dealers with a single site and major retail networks. A thorough cleaning can rejuvenate older sites, enhancing their kerb appeal, while newer or renovated facilities can maintain their pristine appearance.
Services include:
- Full professional site clean (including car wash & perimeter areas)
- Site décor
- Signage replacement/repair
- Electrical lighting replacement/repair
- Electrical testing
- CCTV installation
- Kärcher Wash Solutions, including jet wash and vacs
- Service and Maintenance
Each establishment must undergo a thorough site survey to pinpoint areas that would benefit from TSG’s professional cleaning and maintenance services. Based on TSG’s findings, recommendations for the required service level will be provided. Site owners can then modify the plan by adding or removing elements before finalising the course of action and preferred timeline.
Author: Cheryl Ashton
