Dover petrol station refuelled with Santander finance

The Whitfield Roundabout in Dover has been home to an abandoned petrol station for the last seven years, but the pumps are set to flow again after the site was acquired by three local businessmen with the support of a new financial package from Santander Corporate Banking.

The site has been purchased by Viswanathan Srikrishna, Mr Rajamenon and Mr Rajaseelan, and will operate under the name Dover Service Stations Limited. The petrol station will be Esso-branded and will also offer local consumers the service of a 24/7 Spar-branded convenience shop.

The financial package will fund the substantial refurbishment of the site, including a new canopy for the 12 pumps and a Spar convenience shop offering a full range of items, including fresh and frozen food as well as alcohol, motor accessories, hot and cold snacks and a coffee bar. 

Between them, the new owners have a huge amount of experience in running local businesses, as well as a specific knowledge of petrol stations.  Mr Srikrishna already runs two other petrol stations and has more than 25 years' experience in the industry.  The refurbishment, and the opening of the petrol station is set for the end of July, and will join the busy McDonalds and hand carwash facility on site.

Mr Rajaseelan, Director and Owner of Dover Service Stations Limited, said: "The site is in an excellent location, and our experience told us this would be a good investment.  Having worked with Esso previously, we were in a perfect position to bid, and we're delighted with the five-year agreement we have secured. 

"The team at Santander recognised our knowledge of the market place and our ambitions to refurbish this local site, and offered the right financial package for us to be able to do so.  We're excited about the changes being made, and are looking forward to seeing the business develop."

Jeff Clark, Relationship Director for Santander Corporate Banking, said: "I am very happy to have been able to support Sri, Menon and Seelan with the refurbishment of this long-closed petrol station and am confident that with their considerable knowledge and expertise, they will be able to make the operation a complete success.  We are always looking for opportunities to help good, efficient local businesses and this opportunity underlines our ambition to make sure the business community throughout Dover and Kent is given the best possible support."