Co-op Wholesale has signed a new five-year contract with forecourt operator Ascona Group, securing grocery supply for its 62 sites across the UK.

The deal builds on a partnership first established in 2020 and means Ascona customers will continue to have access to convenience retailer’s own-label range alongside branded products.

Founded in 2011 by CEO Darren Briggs, now the company reports more than 300,000 customers a week and has recently invested heavily in its estate, including a £3m redevelopment of Machynlleth Service Station in North Wales last year.

Recent acquisitions include Kirkburn Service Station in East Yorkshire and Ridgeway Service Station in Hastings.

“Ascona has been one of the standout growth stories in the forecourt sector over the last decade, and we are delighted to extend our partnership for a further five years,” said Co-op Wholesale sales and partnerships director Paul Webster.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

“Our shared focus on quality, value and community makes this a natural collaboration, and we look forward to supporting Ascona’s ambitious plans as they continue to expand and invest across the UK.”

Ascona founder Briggs added: “Ensuring our forecourts provide our customers and the local communities in which we operate with a first-class roadside retail destination is at the heart of what we do at Ascona, which is why we choose to partner with operators like Co-op Wholesale.

“We have had a long-standing relationship with Co-op Wholesale, who are one of our key suppliers to our forecourts across the country. Today, all of our 62 forecourts are supplied with grocery and Co-op branded products by Co-op Wholesale. Our partnership has gone from strength to strength over the years, and we look forward to continuing our work together to serve our customers.”

In August, Co-op partnered with fellow forecourt giant EG On the Move to launch a new roadside forecourt and convenience site in Stowmarket, combining fuel, food and EV services under one roof.

The 24-hour site on the A1308 Needham Road was the first opening following last year’s trial sites and is part of the convenience giant’s wider ambition to roll out more joint locations later this year.