Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The facility will enable drivers to “relax and shop in a state-of-the-art facility” while their vehicles charge. The two-story building will house a waiting lounge, free superfast WiFi, toilets, a Children’s area, a gym, and business meeting rooms. On the ground floor, a retail space, to be operated by WH Smith, will include a coffee shop, convenience supermarket, as well as fresh and frozen food.
Toby Keir, managing director at WH Smith Travel said: “At WH Smith, we have been serving customers on their journeys for over 200 years and we understand how important convenience is to people on the go. We’re therefore delighted to be partnering with Gridserve’s electric forecourt to deliver a new first-class retail experience, with fantastic service and a tailored product offer. It’s a great concept and we look forward to playing our part over the next hundred years with the future of electric cars.”
Edwin Booth, executive chairman at quality supermarket chain, Booths, added: “We’re excited to work with Griderve to deliver on our one simple aim – to sell the best food and drink available, in attractive stores, staffed with first class assistants. As a family-owned retailer with sustainability baked into our core, we couldn’t think of a more fitting opportunity to continue our journey into the South of England.”
Gridserve has secured 100 sites along busy routes, near powerful grid connections and close to populated areas or transport routes. Planning applications for two additional sites in Uckfield, Sussex, and Norwich East, have been submitted.
