Londis Greggs and Costa Express at enlarged fuel station

An enlarged food and drink store, fast food offering, jet wash bays and six electric vehicle charging points will all feature as "significant investment" has been made at the site of the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft.

New facilities at the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Having being closed since November last year, new facilities will be unveiled as the site opens at 6am today.

Chris Barnes, regional manager for the site’s owners Motor Fuel Group, said: "It is an exciting time.

"What we will be offering customers is definitely more advanced than we had here before.

Officials as the new facilities at the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft are unveiled. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We have increased the size of the shop - now operated by Londis - by four times, and expanded the range of goods to give local people a really strong retail offering – including groceries, alcohol and confectionery.

"We also have fast food as well including Costa Express, Dunkin’ Donuts, Slush, hot dogs, American drink and candy and a Greggs which is new to the site."

The new facilities at the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft are unveiled. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With the company boasting around 900 stores across the country, Mr Barnes said: "We have owned the site for eight years, but it was becoming rather old and tired, and we thought the people of Oulton Broad deserved much better – so we decided to redevelop it last year.

"We are hoping to draw in local people as now we have groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables and ready meals - not just chocolate bars and crisps any more.

The new facilities at the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft are unveiled. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"Externally we have added three jet wash bays and six bays of ‘EV Power’ charging points - which is MFG Group's branded EV offering.

"All are capable of a 150KW charge which for a current electric vehicle will add 100-mile range in 10 minutes.

The new facilities at the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft are unveiled. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"So now while the vehicles are being charged drivers can grab a coffee or some fast food.

"We of course have a full range of Shell fuel."

'A significant investment'

As the fuel station used to feature around four or five staff, the new facilities have created new jobs - with this increasing to 20, including Greggs and Londis staff.

Mr Barnes said: "It has been a significant investment for the company.

"We are planning a big launch today (Thursday) with a big balloon arch to let people now we are actually open.

Officials at the new facilities at the 24-hour Shell fuel and EV Power station on Normanston Drive, Oulton Broad in Lowestoft are unveiled. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"We have a prize draw currently happening on Facebook and will have giveaways for customers as they come in, as well as a prize draw in store for non-Facebookers to win £100 to spend in store.

"We also have some free doughnuts from Greggs.

"We open at 6am, with the ribbon cutting about 10am and believe this improved facility will be a real asset to the community."