Project Overview
Client: The Kay Group (UK) Ltd
Irlam Gateway Service Station was developed as a new-build petrol filling station, creating a modern roadside destination with a forecourt, customer store, food-to-go offer and supporting vehicle care facilities.
The scheme was notable for incorporating the first drive-thru Greggs concept. The client worked closely with Greggs to develop the initial concept, with the Greggs food outlet operating as a partner within the main petrol filling station store.
Key Features
The completed site brings together forecourt, retail and vehicle care facilities in a compact and highly functional layout designed around customer convenience.
- New-build petrol filling station and forecourt canopy
- First-of-its-kind drive-thru Greggs concept
- Greggs food outlet partnered within the main PFS store
- Jet wash and valet bays
- Generous customer parking and clear site circulation
Design Approach
The design was developed to integrate a strong roadside retail offer with the practical requirements of a busy petrol filling station. The store frontage brings Greggs and SPAR together in a clear, customer-facing elevation, while the drive-thru lane, parking and forecourt areas are arranged to support simple and efficient movement around the site.
The architecture uses a clean contemporary palette, with a prominent forecourt canopy, glazed retail frontage and timber-effect cladding helping to create a welcoming and recognisable service station environment.
Operational Impact
The scheme supports multiple customer journeys on one site, from fuel and convenience retail to food-to-go, drive-thru collection, jet wash, valet use and short-stay parking. Clear road markings, dedicated lanes and visible signage help separate these movements and improve ease of use.
By placing the Greggs offer within the main store while also supporting a drive-thru operation, the project created a flexible model for roadside retail partnerships within a petrol filling station setting.
Design Challenge
A key challenge was the design of the forecourt canopy in response to overhead power cables crossing the site. The canopy had to be carefully coordinated to accommodate the maximum swing of the cables while still providing effective coverage, strong visual presence and safe operation for the forecourt below.
This constraint shaped the technical design and required careful consideration of clearances, site layout and long-term operational safety.
Project Outcome
Irlam Gateway Service Station delivers a modern and customer-focused roadside development for The Kay Group. The project combines fuel, convenience retail, vehicle care and a pioneering Greggs drive-thru concept, creating a distinctive and commercially flexible service station with a strong emphasis on convenience and accessibility.
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