The Services King visits SGN Retail’s Texaco Galleys Corner Braintree

The first week of March saw The Services King head to Essex and a midweek visit to SGN Retail’s Galleys Corner Service Station in Braintree.

Situated on the A120 Braintree Bypass at Galleys Corner, this Texaco filling station opened in 1997 with a Star Market store alongside a Travel Inn hotel and Brewsters pub-restaurant from Whitbread. The forecourt had initially planned to open under Esso branding, but this was switched shortly before opening. This collection of facilities formed a new service area on the bypass, offering an alternative for those no longer venturing into Braintree town centre since the opening of the bypass in 1989.

The forecourt was acquired by the now-defunct supermarket chain Somerfield in 2007, who fully redeveloped the shop building a year later to open a new convenience store here. Somerfield were then acquired by The Co-operative Group, with the store rebranding to Co-op Food in 2010. Another site refresh in 2017 saw the removal of a rollover car wash as well as the introduction of a Subway franchise to the store. The car wash made space for additional parking bays.

SGN Retail acquired a lease assignment on the site in June 2021 and as a result retained the existing partnerships with Texaco and Co-op. On the forecourt, additional facilities include a Wash.ME laundry machine and InPost parcel locker as well as a free cash machine. Inside the store, the Subway franchise remains and sits alongside food to go offers from Costa Express, Rollover and a range of hot food from the Co-op brand.

During my visit on 4 March, I met with SGN’s Property Director Tom Peacock as well as Commission Operator Mohan Samy and Store Manager Naveen (pictured).

SGN Retail Galleys Corner Service Station

Location – Galleys Corner Roundabout, A120 Braintree Bypass, Braintree, Essex CM77 8GG

Opening Hours – 24/7

Shop Brand & Facilities – Co-op store, Subway franchise, two Costa Express machines, hot food cabinet, Rollover hot food, Wash.ME laundry machine, InPost locker, free cash machine

Number of pumps & fuel grades – 8 pump islands with unleaded and diesel. Supreme Unleaded and Supreme Diesel available on select pumps