Business Outlook 2026 | Forecourts
In this section, we explore the forecourt market in 2025 and provide predictions for the sector in 2026.
Market Overview
The roadside retail environment is undergoing a significant transformation, with traditional petrol filling stations being reimagined into multi-purpose forecourt destinations.
Smaller sites are attracting interest from EV infrastructure providers and car wash operators, while larger plots are being redeveloped to include enhanced convenience offering, including franchised coffee, food-to-go and wellness-oriented products that resonate with Gen Z consumers.
The rise of social media-driven footfall, particularly through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, is influencing design and product mix, creating experiential forecourts that go beyond fuel.
Encouragingly, banks remain confident in lending for both acquisitions and redevelopments, buoyed by the sector’s diversification and the extended relevance of traditionally fuelled vehicles amid delays in EV infrastructure and automaker readiness. This financial backing reinforces the market’s stability and adaptability, positioning forecourts as resilient, multi-revenue assets in the evolving retail landscape.
In 2025, Christie & Co advised on forecourts with a combined value of over £603 million, with an average of five offers per site sold, and in December we acted in the off-market sale of Gardner Garages to Roadside Real Estate PLC, marking Roadside’s first group acquisition. The opportunity attracted high levels of interest with multiple offers received, and only eight weeks from offer to exchange, demonstrating exceptional demand from buyers for quality sites.
Steve Rodell
Managing Director – Retail & Leisure
Key Market Trends
Market Predictions for 2026
- We will continue to see site consolidation, with smaller sites repurposed and larger sites being redeveloped to add value.
- We expect banks will continue to show confidence in lending in the sector.
- Demand will continue to be greater than supply, creating a ‘seller’s market’.
- A conventional fuel sales decline is still in the air, while infrastructure for a full EV roll out is still not in place.
- Investment demand from petrol filling station operators will continue to dominate the market, driving early lease renewals/extensions at high turnover sites.
Case Studies
Project Saffron, Midlands
Three freehold petrol filling stations were sold on behalf of the Hockenhulls in Leicester and Peterborough. The sites were sold to Park Garage Group off a guide price of £8 million, and the sale completed in June 2025.
Project Saxon - Hawkswood Service Station and Storrington Service Station, South East England
The sale of two forecourts on behalf of Pricewatch Limited to Platinum Retail. These properties formed part of the larger Project Saxon where we sold three other properties to independent retailers.
Clarks Garage, Essex
The sale of a family-run petrol station in Essex, which had been family owned since 1956, to JP&S Services. The marketing process generated over 100 enquires and two fully booked open viewing days.
Ridgeway Service Station, East Sussex
The sale of a Shell petrol station to Ascona, which completed in February 2025. We acted on behalf of an independent operator who had operated the site for over 23 years.