Growth capital to fund one of the UK’s fastest-growing fuel and forecourt operators. With 50 sites the funding is intended to double its portfolio

Ascona Group (‘Ascona’), one of the UK’s fastest-growing fuel forecourt operators, has reached 50 sites in the UK and secured backing from Crestline Europe and Nash Business Capital to more than double its portfolio to 120 sites in 2021.

Ascona was founded in 2011 by CEO Darren Briggs, a former strategy executive for Total Oil, and embarked on its growth strategy in 2018 from its base in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Since then, the business has gone from 2 to 50 sites across the UK and now serves almost 120,000 customers a week. Ascona’s unique formula for its sites is built around a directly managed estate which enables a relentless focus on improving the customer experience. The Group tailors each forecourt for its local community and focuses on developing a ‘destination’ roadside retail outlet with a strategic partnership with NISA operating alongside a range of in-house brands.