Norwich Gridserve welcomes back businesses after refit

When the Gridserve charging facility opened in 2022 it was the first of its kind in the region and one of just two in the country. 

Drivers coming off the A47 and NDR in Postwick could shop at WHSmith, M&S Food and Costa Coffee while their electric cars charged. There was even a Post Office.

Gridserve Norwich Electric Forecourt opened in April 2022 (Image: Denise Bradley) But in July this year the place was left looking like a "disaster zone" when these businesses closed, less than two years after opening. 

David Bradbrook, a regular visitor, said the decision to remove the shops "didn't make any sense".

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Gridserve then announced it was refitting the forecourt and welcoming new businesses in the autumn. 

Costa Coffee has since reopened and a new supermarket, Little Fresh, has joined it. 

Costa and Fresh are now open at the site (Image: Eleanor Laming) Green district councillor for the area, Eleanor Laming, said she was pleased to see food and drink offered again. 

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"It was a shame to see the main retail area empty following the closures so it is very positive to see these businesses move in following the refit," she said.

"Costa is also now offering access to the loyalty points scheme which is a welcome addition." 

Councillor Laming is pleased there are food and drink options available again (Image: Eleanor Laming) Gridserve opened the UK's first all-electric forecourt in Braintree, Essex, in December 2020 amid much fanfare and media attention.

The company now has dozens of charging sites across the country and opened its third forecourt in January, near Gatwick Airport's south terminal.

According to the RAC's latest figures there are just over one million battery electric cars on the UK's road, with a further 600,000 plug-in hybrids.