Machynlleth service station staff win top award

A mid Wales service station has been named as one of the best in the country by judges for an industry award.

Staff at Ascona Group’s Machynlleth Service Station are celebrating after winning a top honour at the industry-leading 2026 Booker Forecourt Trader Awards, with judges describing the site as “the best we saw”.

The Texaco service station and Nisa Local store on Doll Street won the West Country & Wales over four million litres per annum category, for the quality of its facilities and the high standards delivered by its team. The Machynlleth team was also a finalist in the Best Forecourt Team category making it a double achievement for the site and its staff.

Sponsored by Booker, the annual Forecourt Trader Awards celebrate excellence across the UK fuel retailing sector, recognising innovation, customer service, sustainability and overall site performance.

The award follows a £3 million redevelopment in 2023, when the existing Machynlleth site was demolished and rebuilt to create a modern roadside retail destination. The six-month project created a larger Nisa Local store, an expanded food-to-go offer and improved customer facilities.

Today, the service station supports 21 employees and serves residents, local businesses and motorists travelling through Machynlleth and the surrounding area.

Judges praise outstanding standards.

The awards’ judges singled out the Machynlleth site’s presentation, describing it as “the best we saw” and “spotless with nothing out of place”.

Machynlleth Site Manager Elaine Dafydd and Area Manager Karen Barrett collected the award on behalf of Ascona at last week’s ceremony in London, alongside television presenter Colin Murray, host of Countdown. Karen said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Machynlleth has received this recognition. The redevelopment was a significant investment and it’s fantastic to see the hard work and attention to detail that goes into maintaining such high standards recognised by the judges.