A BELOVED petrol station shop has had a big-budget transformation after shutting down – and now a new supermarket will move in.
The popular petrol station in West Midlands was dubbed “Aladdin’s cave” for selling dozens of random products.
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The “time capsule” petrol station is located in the M42 in Redditch and has operated for more than two decades.
The independent Murco Beoley Service Station in Alcester Road off Junction 3 was famous for selling retro goodies – including cassette tapes, water bombs and scented erasers.
With even an aisle filled with children’s party invites with retro cartoon drawings, England flag temporary tattoos and stickers and word game puzzle books.
Dozens of customers walked into the VVS Redditch service station at Branson’s Cross every day.
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But the local gem has now closed its doors with big-budget transformation works in progress to make way to a new supermarket.
Manager Vick Sarveswaran, who runs the station with his dad Velautham, said a bargain national chain will move in.
Mr Sarveswaran said: “It will look drastically different when it reopens. We are partnering with Costcutter so the shop will be one of their stores.
The station is set to temporarily close until end of April at the earliest.
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The local business was known for selling one of the cheapest fuel in the Worcestershire – at only 150.7p.
As petrol prices alarmingly surged over the past years, the family struggled to match major supermarkets rivals.
At the time Mr Sarveswaran said: “People think, we are making lots of money with the high prices, but that isn’t true.
“We can’t do anything to keep prices low as the cost price of fuel is so high – and we can’t sell it at a loss.”
Devastated owners said the well-loved family business store will be now lost forever.
Bosses said they have given the business a new lease and it will have a “more modern” look.
When drivers return to station on the outskirts of Birmingham, the store will have opened as a new Costcutter shop.
Vick added: “It has been the same for around 20 years since I was little so I’m happy to see it move with the times.
“The petrol forecourt will still be independent with similar prices to before, it is just the shop that will change and turn into a Costcutter.
“We haven’t got an opening date yet but are hoping for some time from the end of April into early May.”
It comes as a major petrol station chain boasting over 1,000 garages nationwide closed down one of its outlets.
An Esso store in Stoke-on-Trent’s Leek New Road has pulled down its shutters and will be revamped as a fresh filling station, Stoke Sentinel reported.
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Meanwhile, the owner of Britain’s cheapest forecourt slashed 25p off a litre of diesel in a fightback against greedy petrol station giants.
Dave Roberts, 78, backed The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign and put cash-strapped drivers first after the wholesale price dropped.
