Woolsey’s Centra serving the community with integrity, care and commitment

As a much-valued amenity for its local area, Scotch Street Filling Station has grown alongside its community, continuing its proud history of supporting the area in which its based, culminating in securing the 2025 Community Store of the Year award.

With a long history in the area the Woolsey family has served its customers faithfully for generations. Originally a shop in a dwelling house opened by Ellie and Jimmy Woolsey in 1960, they subsequently opened a filling station in 1961.

In 1987 the shop moved over and opened as one site with the filling station and as the business grew, renovations were carried out in 1995, 2006 and most recently in 2025.

A £1.3 million investment was carried out last year which included an extension and refurbishment, while the store officially opened under the Centra brand.

The current shop is in its fourth generation run by the Woolsey family, with the shop now run by Don and his two sons, James and Gordon, as well as Don’s grandchildren who are also involved in working in the shop.

Having started as an independent, the family have worked with a number of well-known and trusted symbol brands over the years and in October 2024 signed with Musgrave for a 10-year contract under the Centra brand.

“The extension was a result of the new 10-year partnership under the Centra brand,” Gordon told NR. “The work started in June 2025 and was completed in May 2025.

“Some of the main elements of the refurbishment included additional space for the shop and parking, an increased product range, a specially chilled range as well as more aisle space and improved lighting for customers.

“We have also added a hot and cold deli, a Frank & Honest coffee machine, and we relocated the Post Office to the checkout area. Additionally, as a result of customer feedback, we are now open seven days a week from November last year.

“Customer feedback has been very encouraging and positive, with increased product offering and increased opening hours, the new deli and larger shopping aisles have space for wheelchairs and buggies, and the larger car park has also been welcomed.”

Now standing at almost 3000 sq ft, there are 22 staff employed, while their forecourt is under the EMO brand. This offers two pumps with petrol and diesel, while at the rear of the shop they also supply red diesel and home heating oil.

Additional features and services include a clothes bank for local charity Helping Hands, air and water and a household fuel store providing coal, blocks, sticks, gas and turf. These extensive offerings have all been greatly welcomed by the local community and it is this commitment and dedication that secured Scotch Street Filling Station the Community Store of the Year award at the 2025 NR Awards.

“It meant a lot to win this award as we invest heavily in the local community, supporting the local area including primary school, youth and community centre and community events throughout the year,” said Gordon.

“So, to be rewarded with this prestigious award was both humbling and exciting to celebrate our achievements and to share with the wider staff team.

“Staff were delighted and customers congratulated us in the days following the awards. It really helped showcase our new store and brought some further custom to our business,” added Gordon.

READ THE FULL FEATURE ON SCOTCH STREET FILLING STATION IN THE 2026 NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER YEARBOOK  HERE