Ascona Group Accelerates UK Growth with Strategic Acquisition of Truckhaven (Carnforth) Ltd a major trunk road services area.
Pembrokeshire-based Ascona Group has completed the acquisition of Truckhaven (Carnforth) Ltd, further expanding its growing national portfolio to 70 sites and strengthening its position within the UK’s roadside retail services sector.
The acquisition represents another significant milestone in Ascona Group’s ambitious growth strategy, reinforcing the company’s commitment to investing in strategically located roadside retail assets that support both the commercial transport industry and the travelling public.
Truckhaven has long been recognised as an important trunk road destination strategically located on junction 35 of the M6, the 17 acre site comprises of an Esso branded filling station with its own detached forecourt retail shop which trades 24/7 –further facilities include overnight parking for 245 lorries, an amenity building housing an extensive restaurant, showering facility, retail shop, licensed bar, launderette and a 26 en-suite bedroom hotel providing respite to customers.
Darren Briggs, Founder and CEO of Ascona Group, commented “We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Truckhaven. This is an exciting addition to our growing portfolio and reflects our confidence in the long-term opportunities within the UK’s roadside services market.
Our ambition is to build on Truckhaven’s strong reputation by investing in the site, enhancing the customer retail experience and creating a first-class destination for drivers and visitors alike. We have ambitious plans for the site. We intend to improve the forecourt facilities with a brand new retail shop offering and for the HGV’s a brand new state of the artwork truck wash in the coming months.
This acquisition demonstrates our continued commitment to identifying high-quality businesses where we can add value through investment, innovation and operational excellence.”
The acquisition forms part of Ascona Group’s wider strategy of sustainable expansion through carefully selected acquisitions that complement its existing portfolio while delivering long-term value for customers, employees and business partners.
Ascona Group has established a reputation as one of the UK’s most acquisitive independent forecourt operators, continuing to invest across fuel retail, convenience, food-to-go and roadside retail services. The addition of Truckhaven further broadens the Group’s presence in a strategically important segment of the market.
Ascona Group continues to actively evaluate further acquisition opportunities throughout the UK as it pursues its long-term vision of building one of the country’s leading independent roadside retail and services businesses.
Having originally developed the Truckhaven site at Carnforth in the early 90’s, Michael Jelley of Stonplan said “We are confident that Ascona are the right people to take the site forward as the industry develops. They inherit a robust business that has prioritised the provision of high-quality facilities for the haulage industry, along with an outstanding operational team”.
Manoj Tugnait, Property Director at Ascona Group, added "The acquisition of Truckhaven marks another significant milestone for Ascona Group as we welcome our 70th site into the portfolio. This strategically located asset is an excellent fit with our long-term growth strategy and provides an exciting opportunity to further strengthen our roadside services offering. Completing a transaction of this scale required close collaboration between all parties, and I am delighted that we have successfully brought it to completion.
I would like to thank Brogan Grier at G+S for his professional advice and support throughout the acquisition, and our legal advisers, Simmons & Simmons LLP, whose commercial expertise, pragmatic advice and dedication were instrumental in navigating a complex transaction through to a successful completion. I would also like to thank the Truckhaven management team for their constructive and professional approach throughout the process. They have built and operated a well-respected business, and we look forward to working with the team as we invest in the site, enhance the customer experience and build on Truckhaven's strong reputation for the benefit of customers, colleagues, and the wider transport community. We are excited to unlock the site's full potential as part of the Ascona portfolio and to deliver further investment over the coming months."
Brogan Grier, Senior Director at Graham + Sibbald surveyors, who acted as Ascona’s agent, commented “Darren Briggs identified the site as being of particular interest, and I was delighted to be able to track down the owner and his advisors, who were amenable to an approach and subsequent negotiations – I am confident both parties are happy with the resultant deal. I want to thank Manoj Tugnait for trusting myself and my colleague Adam Fotheringham with this. Ascona were once again very pragmatic and driven to get a deal over the line -this was another fun instruction to work with them on.”
Andy Harding, Director at AHCL, who acted for the vendor, said “grateful to Jamie Hallam and Michael Jelley who entrusted my Firm with the sale of Truckhaven and am delighted that we were able to secure the sale to Ascona Group. It was great to deal with an organisation who ensured that they concluded the purchase in a timely manner and who were a pleasure to deal with.”
Legal work was undertaken by Simmons & Simmons for Ascona Group and Keystone Law for Truckhaven (Carnforth) Ltd.
