MORRISONS has issued an update on its fuel forecourts in the Bradford district after a major sale was announced earlier this year.

In January, Morrisons revealed it had agreed a £2.5billion deal to sell its 337 fuel forecourts to Motor Fuel Group (MFG), which has the same private equity owner as the supermarket.

The Bradford-based retail giant said the deal would also see it take a minority stake of around 20 per cent in MFG as part of a "strategic partnership". 

This week, Morrisons confirmed its fuel forecourts at Mayo Avenue, Victoria Shopping Centre at Girlington, Idle, Thornbury and Keighley are all due to convert to MFG later this year.  

Both Morrisons and MFG are majority-owned by US buyout firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice.

Under the deal, MFG is set to take on the Morrisons forecourts - including fuel and associated convenience retail operations - as well as more than 400 electric vehicle (EV) charging sites, with plans to invest in further expansion of the EV network and forecourt retail operations.

After the deal was revealed, Rami Baitieh, chief executive of Morrisons, said: "As the needs of the customer continue to evolve, Morrisons and MFG's partnership will see us combine our respective expertise and resources to deliver the best value for customers at the pump, in our convenience stores and in our supermarkets.

"It means Morrisons customers will continue to see a competitive and attractive forecourt offering, including expanded access to EV charging, while also benefitting from greater focus on investment in Morrisons' core food business.

"We are delighted to have  such a strong partner in MFG and look forward to the opportunities a combined MFG and Morrisons  forecourt offering will provide."

William Bannister, chief executive of MFG, added: "MFG is proud to be a British entrepreneurial success story that is investing in jobs, critical infrastructure and serving our communities to help the country achieve its decarbonisation transition.

"This strategic acquisition, and the resulting partnership with the highly respected Morrisons brand, is the next major growth investment for MFG.

"It is anchored in the potential for us to accelerate the roll-out of ultra-rapid EV charging infrastructure across the UK while also giving customers a first-class retail offer.

"We will be there to serve and power our customers, regardless of what car they drive in the years and decades ahead as we play a key role in keeping the country and its economy moving.

"We look forward to working with Morrisons."