THE petrol station at a Morrisons supermarket has closed for a refurbishment.

The facility is undergoing a refit at the Baxters Lane store, in Sutton, having temporarily closed to customers.

The renovation comes following a £2.5bn deal announced in January this year between Morrisons and Motor Fuel Group (MFG).

They entered an agreement relating to the proposed acquisition by MFG of 337 Morrisons petrol forecourts, including fuel, convenience retail kiosk and ancillary services, and more than 400 associated sites, across the  UK, for Ultra-Rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging development.  

As  part of the transaction Morrisons took a minority stake of approximately 20 per cent in MFG, and entered into commercial and supply agreements with MFG.

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Morrisons said the deal will benefit UK motorists and shoppers at the pump and in store, as well as helping the UK prepare for the end of new diesel and  petrol car sales in 2035 as the Government strives to meet its 2050 'net zero' target. 

The supermarket chain said that the deal will see "significant investment to expand and improve the convenience retail proposition, with a focus  on enhancing the retail environment, food-to-go and valeting facilities to customers".

Morrisons will continue to supply food and groceries across the petrol forecourts.

Morisons added that MFG sees workers employed directly by the franchise holder and that every Morrisons forecourt colleague will be provided with an in-store position on the same pay and employment terms.

There will be no compulsory redundancies due to the deal. 

A Morrisons spokeswoman confirmed that the forecourt at Baxters Lane will reopen this Friday, August 9, as a Morrisons Daily.

She said: "Our St Helens forecourt is part of this MFG partnership - the store will reopen as a franchise Morrisons Daily on Friday following the refit works."

Rami Baitiéh, CEO of Morrisons, said: “As the needs of the customer continue to evolve, Morrisons and MFG’s partnership will see us combine  our respective expertise and resources to deliver the best value for customers at the pump, in our  convenience stores and in our supermarkets.

"It means Morrisons customers will continue to see a competitive and attractive forecourt offering, including expanded access to EV charging, while also benefitting from greater focus on investment in Morrisons’ core food business. We are delighted to have  such a strong partner in MFG and look forward to the opportunities a combined MFG and Morrisons  forecourt offering will provide.”