A PETROL station on the A34 has been bought by M&S.

The Berkshire Downs filling station in Chilton, was sold with a guide price of £1.5 million.

It has been snapped up by M&S Fuels, which will 'extend and refurb the retail offering' and rebrand the petrol station to Shell. 

The buyer Maruthan Sabapathi said: “We are delighted to have secured the site and look forward to growing the business with plans in the short term including a rebrand to Shell and the extension and renovation of the retail offering.”

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There was due to be a large M&S food store opening further up the A34 at Seacourt, but the plan was abandoned earlier this year.

Tom Glanvill, business agent at property agent Christie & Co, said: “This site attracted a high level of interest and numerous bids, achieving a premium price for the fantastic business.

"This clearly demonstrates the appetite of well located petrol filling stations sites in a well established trading location with potential to grow.

"I wish the new owners all the very best with the site and am sure that the planned rebrand and shop expansion will enable this site to reach its full potential.

“The petrol forecourt market remains incredibly buoyant as there is significant demand for both freehold and leasehold petrol stations across the South.”