Projects
GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourts – Braintree, Norwich, Gatwick, Stevenage and Markham Vale
Designing the next generation of electric vehicle charging
Reimagining the forecourt
Bowman Riley worked with GRIDSERVE to develop a new generation of electric vehicle charging facilities, helping transform the traditional forecourt model for an increasingly electric future.
Our relationship began with the development of GRIDSERVE’s pioneering Electric Forecourt® at Braintree – the UK’s first dedicated electric vehicle charging forecourt. Since then, we have worked with GRIDSERVE on a growing portfolio of schemes across the UK, adapting and evolving the concept to suit different locations, sites and customer requirements.
From a large-scale flagship forecourt to compact urban facilities and an airport charging hub, the projects demonstrated how EV infrastructure could combine high-power charging with high-quality customer facilities and sustainable design.
Braintree | Establishing the concept
Bowman Riley supported the development of GRIDSERVE’s first Electric Forecourt® at Braintree, Essex.
Located on a greenfield technology park, the 100% renewable fast-charging facility was designed around a 5MVA power supply, with capacity for future expansion to 10MVA.
Alongside the charging facilities, we designed a modular building incorporating a vehicle showroom, convenience store, meeting spaces and customer lounge, creating a more comfortable experience while drivers charged their vehicles.
Photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, extensive greenery and sustainable drainage were incorporated into the scheme, which targeted BREEAM Excellent.
Our role covered the whole site, including lead designer, project manager and Principal Designer responsibilities, as well as architectural design of the forecourt and delivery architect services for the modular building.
Norwich | Developing a compact model
Following Braintree, we worked with GRIDSERVE to develop its second electric service station in Norwich.
The challenge was to provide a similar charging and customer experience on a significantly smaller footprint. We responded by placing the charging bays beneath a two-storey building, with customer facilities located above.
The resulting Compact Electric Forecourt® incorporated the same number of chargers as Braintree, alongside a customer lounge, office pods, retail facilities and café.
The project demonstrated how the Electric Forecourt concept could be adapted to different sites while retaining its core customer experience.
Gatwick | Taking the concept to the airport
At London Gatwick Airport, Bowman Riley designed and delivered GRIDSERVE’s third major scheme with the client.
The compact Electric Forecourt® introduced high-power charging alongside a range of customer amenities, including a Costa Coffee, convenience store, EV showroom, lounge, meeting room and washrooms.
The facility incorporated a 5MW battery storage system and photovoltaic panels, with renewable energy generated through GRIDSERVE’s solar network.
Located at Gatwick’s South Terminal, the facility brought GRIDSERVE’s electric charging concept into a major international transport environment and was the first of its kind at a European international airport.
Stevenage | A new generation of Electric Forecourt®
At Stevenage, Bowman Riley supported the delivery of another major Electric Forecourt® scheme, taking the project through RIBA Stages 1–7.
The development incorporated a two-storey modular amenity building, rapid-charging bays beneath photovoltaic canopies and associated civil and electrical infrastructure.
Located on greenfield land within the Knebworth Estate alongside the A1(M), the design responded carefully to its rural setting while delivering the infrastructure and customer facilities required at a high-capacity EV charging destination.
Sustainability informed the project from the outset, including renewable energy generation, off-site modular construction and consideration of whole-life carbon.
The completed scheme went on to win the Alternative Fuels Outlet Award at the Forecourt Trader Awards 2025, recognising its innovation in EV infrastructure.
Markham Vale | Continuing the partnership
Our work with GRIDSERVE continued with the Electric Forecourt® at Markham Vale, which became the fifth electric forecourt Bowman Riley had delivered with the client.
The project further demonstrated the value of the established relationship, with our team providing architectural, lead designer and CDM Principal Designer services.
The opening marked another milestone in a partnership focused on supporting the transition towards a more sustainable road network.
Designing for a changing future
Across these projects, Bowman Riley helped GRIDSERVE evolve the Electric Forecourt® concept to respond to different locations, scales and customer needs.
From establishing the original model at Braintree, to developing compact solutions, an airport hub and larger-scale facilities, each project built on the knowledge gained from the last.
The relationship demonstrated our ability to combine forecourt expertise, architectural design, technical coordination and sustainable thinking to create infrastructure for a rapidly changing transport landscape.
Five projects. One evolving concept. A partnership shaping the future of EV charging.
Shell Shell | Reimagining the Energy Forecourt – Barnet and Fulham, London
Bowman Riley worked with Shell on two pioneering London projects that explored how the traditional petrol filling station could evolve to meet changing customer needs and the transition towards electric mobility.
Our relationship with Shell began with a competition-winning design for a flagship forecourt in Barnet, combining traditional fuel with fast electric vehicle charging. This was followed by the transformation of an existing Shell site in Fulham into the company’s first fully electric vehicle charging hub.
Together, the projects demonstrated how thoughtful design, customer experience and emerging technology could reshape the traditional forecourt.
Flagship Shell Forecourt – Barnet
Bowman Riley won a design competition to create a flagship Shell forecourt in the London Borough of Barnet.
The scheme replaced an existing traditional fuel filling station with a new facility designed around customer choice, with an ambition to provide an equal balance of traditional and electric refuelling.
The new forecourt incorporated an enhanced convenience store, café and drive-through offer, alongside the latest fuel and rapid-charging technology.
Sustainability was central to the design, with low-carbon technologies, renewable energy, waste reduction and recycling incorporated into the proposals. The project was intended to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating and demonstrated Shell’s commitment to the energy transition.
Shell Electric Vehicle Charge Hub – Fulham
Following the success of the Barnet competition, Bowman Riley was invited to develop designs for Shell’s first fully electric vehicle charging hub in Fulham.
The project transformed a traditional fuels site into an entirely electric facility, providing rapid charging alongside a more comfortable and engaging customer experience.
We introduced a dedicated area where customers could work while their vehicles charged, together with refreshments from Waitrose and Costa Coffee.
Two prefabricated timber glulam canopies were designed to support a solar array, with semi-transparent photovoltaic panels providing shelter while allowing natural light through to the charging area. A sustainable drainage strategy incorporated permeable paving and underground attenuation.
We also redesigned Shell’s traditional monolith signage, developing a new digital version for Shell Global that provided live information for approaching electric vehicle drivers.
Designing for the future
Together, the Barnet and Fulham projects demonstrated Bowman Riley’s experience in designing for a rapidly changing energy landscape.
From integrating electric vehicle charging into a new-generation forecourt to completely reimagining an existing petrol station as an electric charging hub, the projects placed customer experience, sustainability and innovation at the heart of the design.
Our work helped Shell explore new ways of delivering energy infrastructure that responded to changing technology and the evolving needs of drivers.
Two projects. One changing industry. A new generation of energy forecourts.
Element 2 Hydrogen Refuelling – UK
Bowman Riley is working closely with Element 2, a hydrogen refuelling company. Our involvement with Element 2 began with designing a concept model site for a hydrogen refuelling station for heavy goods vehicles. The success of this initial project led Element 2 to appoint Bowman Riley for further work.
Our team was initially engaged to design a concept model site for a hydrogen refuelling station. The objective was to create a visually appealing and functional design to serve as a promotional tool for Element 2. This would attract potential investors and generate positive press coverage. Various stakeholders greeted the concept model site with great enthusiasm and gave it a positive response.
The design of the concept model site featured several key elements. Canopy structures constructed with a hybrid timber/steel frame and a lightweight roof membrane provided shelter and protection for the refuelling area and other associated infrastructure. Additionally, the design incorporated three hydrogen tank storage bays, enabling safe hydrogen storage for refuelling operations.
Based on the success of the concept model site, Element 2 asked Bowman Riley to submit planning applications for two Exelby service stations. We applied the design principles established in the concept work, ensuring consistency and promoting the hydrogen refuelling concept to a broader audience. The planning authorities approved both planning applications with full planning permission. This demonstrates our design approach’s effectiveness and local authorities’ positive response to the hydrogen refuelling concept.
See our other projects in the energy sector
ASDA Petrol Filling Stations – across the UK
Locations: Blackwood, Hinckley, Ipswich, Liscard, Llanelli, Bideford, Fleetwood, Gloucester, South Shields, Watford, Rhyl, Wootton and Taunton
A national programme of forecourt projects
Bowman Riley worked with ASDA on a programme of petrol filling station projects across the UK, bringing together our experience in retail, architecture and CDM Principal Designer services.
From Blackwood and Rhyl to Hinckley, Ipswich and Taunton, we delivered projects across 13 locations, each with its own site constraints, technical challenges and operational requirements.
Our role involved developing practical, well-considered designs that worked alongside existing ASDA stores and wider retail environments, while meeting the technical, safety and operational requirements of a busy petrol filling station.
Responding to every site
No two sites were the same. Our work included new forecourts, canopies, kiosks, underground fuel storage, vehicle access, parking, drainage, lighting, signage and associated facilities including jet washes and vacuum areas.
At Blackwood, the former landfill site presented challenging ground conditions, including ground gas considerations. At Rhyl, the coastal location and high groundwater table required a carefully considered approach to the underground fuel storage.
We also supported ASDA on projects with particularly demanding timescales. At Rhyl, Bowman Riley joined the project just two weeks before construction was due to begin, rapidly reviewing the existing proposals and producing the information required to maintain the programme.
Building on experience
Working across multiple ASDA sites enabled us to build a strong understanding of the client’s requirements while responding to the individual characteristics of each location.
The programme demonstrated our ability to combine practical design, technical expertise and responsive project delivery across a national retail estate.
13 locations. One trusted relationship.
Our work for ASDA demonstrated the value of an established client relationship – bringing consistency, knowledge and experience to every new project while delivering solutions tailored to each site.
Dales Market Corner and Petrol Filling Station – Harrogate
Private Client
Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
The Dales Market Corner is a uniquely designed, independent convenience store with a petrol filling station in the heart of the scenic market town of Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale, an area of outstanding beauty. On a brownfield site (formerly a car dealership), a Costcutter kiosk was enlarged, rebranded and reopened as a wholly independent convenience store.
This followed the successful first phase of the development; the refurbishment of the petrol filling station and forecourt. Phase 1 involved the refurbishment of the petrol filling station including a new canopy, forecourt alterations and replacement fuel tanks, pumps and lines in conjunction with a specialist petrol filling station contractor. Phase 2 was the partial demolition and extension to the convenience store building to create a circa 300m² footprint (an increase of 200%). The works were planned to be phased to enable the store to continue to trade with minimal disruption.
The store is a uniquely five-sided extension seamlessly integrate into the local vernacular with its use of traditional building materials applied in a contemporary form. From afar, the angular and split-level roof responds to its unique and varied neighbours both in form and height whilst addressing the client’s need for a single storey building. Taking its form from the unusual sized plot, the double-height volume enhances the sense of place and space whilst seamlessly integrating into the original forecourt building. This enabled the store to continue trading throughout and now provides for a logical and considered building. Daylight floods what would otherwise be a typically artificially lit space, thanks to a quirky interpretation of the local dry stone walls and the relationship to contemporary glazing arrangements.
This bespoke development responds specifically to the needs of the local community and makes a positive contribution to the public realm and is a valuable asset to the community, who had to travel as far as Harrogate to buy groceries.
Artelia Modular Petrol Filling Stations
Catfoss
UK Wide
Bowman Riley works on a joint venture basis with Catfoss to design and deliver modular petrol filling stations on behalf of Artelia for all five major petroleum companies.
Our modular solutions fulfil a need to provide new petrol filling stations faster and more efficiently.
We are currently involved in the design of two modular models; a large-scale, more traditional petrol filling station and a temporary station with above ground tanks for deployment to a range of sites for several petroleum companies.
Using the latest technology, the modular projects we deliver are predominantly built off-site in controlled environments. This speeds up the construction process as modules can be created simultaneously in a factory at the same time that site work is occurring. There are also benefits in terms of embedding sustainability and reducing carbon, as it produces less material, less site disturbance and offers greater flexibility and reuse.
Esso Petroleum – Across the UK
Esso
Across the UK
Bowman Riley’s unparalleled experience in petroleum projects can be traced back to the 1970s when the practice was first appointed by Esso Petroleum to undertake projects relating to their retail forecourt network across the UK and Ireland.
In the 1990s, we took responsibility for managing the archive of information relating to Esso’s national estate portfolio. This resulted in our appointment by Esso Europe (Exxon Mobile) to develop European standard drawings to form the basis for all retail forecourt developments in Europe. We played a pivotal role in the development and coordination of these standards.
Today we continue to work with them to maintain their standards library to reflect the latest European trends and legislation. This involvement has kept the practice at the cutting edge of forecourt developments. We have also been instrumental in managing the national programme of forecourt upgrades to ensure access compliance on over 600 sites.
Our current activity for Esso reflects their current strategy for consolidation and technical upgrade of their estate resulting in the completion of a significant number of tank and line replacement projects as part of an on-going programme. We are also involved in minor works projects on 40 sites to update the site image to the latest low energy standards.
We have an on-going brief to prepare and update the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations drawings for Esso on a countrywide basis.
Wm Morrison Supermarket Petrol Filling Stations
Wm Morrison Supermarket
Nationwide
Bowman Riley has been working for Wm Morrison Supermarkets for 25 years and it is testament to our ability to adapt, innovate and strive to break new grounds in terms of project delivery efficiency, cost savings, sustainability, that we are retained as framework architects.
We have successfully designed and delivered numerous supermarket developments including petrol filling stations alongside new and existing stores across the UK.
The new supermarket we designed in Illingworth, Halifax achieved BREEAM Excellent and featured the UK’s first entirely LED lit petrol filling station.
The supermarket and petrol filling station we delivered at Minehead in Somerset was Wm Morrison’ first ever new build design and build project driven with a focus on value engineering and speed of construction whilst maintaining a high level of quality.