The site acquisition of Five Mile Garage, Kingswells – located at a major junction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route – is a long established Esso branded operational petrol filling station with MOT garage and caravan park. The Gauld family has operated the business since 1951. Through a targeted approach, it has been acquired on Ascona’s behalf by the Automotive and Roadside team at Graham + Sibbald. The transaction which completed for an undisclosed sum by way of an asset purchase arrangement is acquired by the Top 10 independent operator Ascona Group as part of their significant growth strategy across the UK. This transaction marks Ascona’s 69th site in their growing portfolio.
Manoj Tugnait , Property Director for Ascona Group commented “Five Mile Garage is a strategically located, long-established forecourt that aligns perfectly with Ascona’s growth strategy in Scotland and across the UK. In addition to the petrol filling station, the acquisition includes a well-established MOT garage and caravan park business, further strengthening the site’s operational diversity and long-term potential.
With this acquisition, Ascona now operates eight sites in Scotland, with further acquisitions already in the pipeline for 2026. We are delighted to have completed this off-market transaction and would like to thank Graham + Sibbald for their support and guidance throughout the process. We look forward to investing in the site and building on the strong foundations already in place. I would also like to thank Mr and Mrs George Gauld and their family for their professionalism throughout the process and to wish them every happiness in their well-deserved retirement, following many decades of dedicated service to the business and the local community.”
Speaking about the sale, Brogan Grier, Director at Graham + Sibbald, who handled the deal said “with the ongoing proceedings of the Kessock deal, Ascona highlighted their desire to us that Five Mile Garage would be a site that would be a welcome addition. A direct approach to the owner, George Gauld, was made and negotiations ensued. The transaction was a pleasure to be involved with, with both parties giving clear instructions throughout and a strong result for the vendor and his family achieved, who we wish a happy retirement to.”
The vendor George Gauld commented, “For 42 years Five Mile Garage has been my life but on last Monday night I turned the key for the last time. The next chapter in Five Mile Garage’s 75-year history will begin under a new owner, Ascona Retail Ltd. There have been many changes, from humble beginnings in 1951 which consisted of 2 petrol pumps and a greenhouse as the shop run by the founder James Forbes. During my parent’s time and my own there have been many challenges to deal with and adapt too, not all for the better I might add, but in the most it has been a great experience. Five Mile Garage would not be where it is without our loyal customers, I am now seeing the 4th generation of families coming through the door, I thank you for the support through the years, I also want to recognise and thank my work colleagues, as without them the business would simply not function. It just leaves me to say thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Ascona are keen to expand their National Portfolio with the assistance of Graham + Sibbald – so please, if you are a site owner and interested in entering discussions to sell, please contact Brogan Grier or Adam Fotheringham.
Graham + Sibbald wish Ascona the best of luck with the acquisition, and their continued success in Scotland.
