Walsall service station on the market for nearly £600,000

It is part of the 17-strong Cornwall Garage Group that are all being sold up by the family owners, who have appointed property advisers Christie & Co to handle the sale.

Standing in the Palfrey neighbourhood on the south site of Walsall town centre, the Wednesbury Road Service Station trades under the Harvest Energy brand and Lifestyle Express symbol.

The station sells around 2.2 million litres of fuel a year and around £483,000 in shop sales.

A Christie & Co spokesperson said: "The site is currently commission operated but could be directly managed if required, presenting an excellent opportunity for an existing multiple operator or for an owner operator to improve the business by modernising the retail element."

Wednesbury Road Service Station is on the market at a guide price of £590,000 for the freehold interest. Christie & Co is inviting offers for either the entire portfolio, sub groups or individual assets.

Cornwall Garage Group was founded by John Murray in the early 1960s and he was managing director of the group for over 50 years. Acquiring their first site in Denham Garage in Esher, the independent family run company grew to 44 petrol filling stations at its height. Most recently, the group ranked 13th on the Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indie 2018 listing with 17 sites.

The portfolio comprises 14 freehold and three leasehold sites, either in residential areas or on major roads just outside of cities and towns. All of the forecourts also feature retail units, ranging from small kiosks to large convenience stores and offering a variety of services and convenience goods. In total, the portfolio of petrol filling stations has a throughput of approximately 46m litres and around £6.7m in total shop sales annually.

Grant Murray of Cornwall Garage Group said: “It has been a privilege to have worked with my father for over 36 years and now is the right moment in time for the family to explore new avenues.”

Mark Kaluza, associate director for retail at Christie & C, added: “This portfolio represents a rare opportunity for a wide range of buyers to acquire a portfolio of petrol filling stations with significant development potential under new ownership. All of the sites are relied upon by the local area and are well placed to capitalise on the existing high levels of passing trade.”