Yaxley Service Station

Written by Rhea Holley

Nandan Kumar has been at the Yaxley site since 1999. First operating on a franchise basis. When it was sold of in 2003, he was able to successfully bid for the Freehold. This gave Nandan the freedom to develop the site as he has. 

Since then, significant investments have been made to modernize the site. The shop was upgraded to a Spar outlet, enhancing its appeal and offerings. The forecourt, originally constrained with just three pumps, was redesigned to create more space—an important improvement given the increasing popularity of larger vehicles like SUVs and 4x4s. The pumps were also upgraded, and the tanks were relined to ensure reliability and compliance with modern standards. Over the past 25 years, the site has undergone three complete refurbishments, reflecting a commitment to continual improvement. In March this year the site was decommissioned for a complete knock-down-rebuild following years of planning. The new forecourt and shop were open for trading  6 months later.

Yaxley, like many villages just like it, has seen much expansion over the last few years.  Due to its proximity to Peterborough and excellent transport links, including the A1(M), this growth reflects both residential development and improvements in local infrastructure, catering to the rising demand for housing and amenities.

It’s no surprise that business owners like Kumar are eager to capitalize on the surge in residential developments and the substantial population growth Yaxley has experienced over the past decade. This expansion has introduced a diverse mix of residents, including commuters working in nearby Peterborough, retirees, and young families. Naturally, this influx has created a growing demand for enhanced amenities and services to meet the needs of the evolving community as well as passing trade.

“We welcome the volume of local trade,” Kumar shared with Forward EV. “Rather than trying to compete with giants like Tesco, we recognize the value they bring us through passing trade.”

In June 2024, Business Manager Vivienne Kerry at Forward EV approached Kumar with a proposal that would contribute to his ongoing approach to innovation and improvements on the forecourt.

“It made sense to take the leap—a charger we could own, install on our land, and essentially let operate autonomously without requiring input from a cashier,” Kumar explained. “The real advantage was Forward EV’s approach. They didn’t want to lease our land or tie us into a lengthy, complicated contract—that was the real game-changer.”

The experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “Vivienne has been fantastic to work with—and a lot of fun! If you need something done, Vivienne gets it sorted,” Kumar said with enthusiasm.

Several aspects of Forward EV’s approach stood out to Kumar, but the biggest draw was the ownership model. From day one, the charger was his. “The unit essentially sits on the forecourt and operates with minimal input from me or my staff,” Kumar explained. “Best of all, there’s no property charge, unlike the terms offered by some other companies.”

He elaborated on the pitfalls of other deals: “They pitch the idea that the charger is ‘free,’ which sounds great at first. But when you read the fine print, you realise you’re giving up rights to part of your land, creating complications down the line. Forward EV isn’t like that, and that’s why it made perfect sense to invest.”

Beyond that, the charger has brought several additional benefits. “There are even language options, which is a huge plus in such a diverse community,” Kumar noted.

The touch-screen interface is designed to work reliably in all weather conditions, and Kumar highlighted another feature he values; customers can easily contact an attendant by calling the number displayed on the charger. “It’s a great bonus,” he added. “It means there’s minimal need for input from my cashiers, keeping things simple and efficient for everyone.”

Another major advantage of the Forward EV investment is that Kumar retains 100% of the revenue generated.

“We’re currently seeing around 3–4 charges per day, and I expect this number to grow as more people become aware of the charger,” Kumar shared with Forward EV. “So far, it’s proven to be a solid investment.”

In fact, Kumar is so impressed with the experience that he has already ordered a second charger, scheduled for installation in early 2025.

The Forward EV team looks forward to another successful, ongoing relationship.