Roadside Real Estate advances on 18 million pound south west England forecourt acquisition

Roadside Real Estate PLC registered a three per cent gain in its share price to 74.2 pence following confirmation that the AIM-quoted property investor has agreed terms to purchase a portfolio comprising six petrol station forecourts situated across south west England for an estimated consideration of £17.8 million.

The transaction centres on the acquisition of Gardner Retail, whose combined sites distribute approximately 22 million litres of fuel on an annual basis. Financial performance for the year ending July 2025 showed revenues of £33.9 million, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation standing at roughly £2.1 million and pre-tax profit recorded at £600,000.

Management confirmed that the acquisition would deliver immediate earnings accretion within the current financial year whilst aligning with the company’s established strategy of assembling a resilient portfolio of income-generating roadside assets. The board has also identified scope for additional capital investment across the sites to enhance long-term cash generation.

Funding arrangements will be structured through an expansion of Roadside’s existing debt facility with Tarncourt Properties, increasing the total available credit line to £35 million. Upon completion, which is anticipated in February 2026, aggregate borrowings under the facility are projected to reach £26.6 million. The loan terms stipulate an interest rate equivalent to the Bank of England base rate plus three percentage points, with the facility scheduled to mature in April 2028.

Tarncourt Properties remains under the control of Charles Dickson, Roadside’s chief executive, rendering the facility amendment a related-party transaction subject to enhanced governance protocols. Independent directors have provided assurance that the commercial terms are both fair and reasonable for shareholders.

Dickson characterised the transaction as representing “the start of a new chapter” for the business, noting that it establishes a foundation from which the company can pursue additional consolidation opportunities within the petrol forecourt and convenience retail sectors.