About Rontec
Rontec is one of the UK’s leading forecourt operators, proudly running over 267 service stations across England and Wales under trusted fuel brands like Esso, BP, and Shell.Our story began with the vision of Sir Gerald Ronson CBE, who launched Heron Service Stations back in 1966 — bringing fresh thinking to roadside retail and shaping the future of forecourts. That spirit of innovation still drives us today.
Since forming Rontec in 2011 to acquire Total Oil UK’s retail network — and joining forces with Snax24 in 2015 — we’ve grown into a major independent player in the forecourt space. But we’re about more than just fuel.
From everyday essentials at Shop’n Drive to fresh groceries with Morrisons Daily, our stations are local hubs — open all hours, designed around real lives, and constantly evolving. We’re focused on great service, smarter convenience, and building a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.
Rontec – Fueling journeys, shaping everyday convenience.
Our history
Rontec’s story starts with Sir Gerald Ronson CBE — a true pioneer of roadside retail. Back in 1966, he founded Heron Service Stations and opened the UK’s first self-service petrol station in St Albans, setting the standard for how we fuel up today.
Over the decades, Sir Gerald helped shape the modern forecourt experience — from self-service pumps and canopy designs to bringing convenience stores to the roadside. With over 1,000 forecourts developed and 60 years in the industry, his influence is undeniable.
In 1992, he launched Snax24, operating BP-branded sites across the UK. Fast forward to 2011, and Rontec was formed to acquire Total UK’s retail network — a major step that expanded our footprint nationwide. The business merged with Snax24 in 2015, uniting two legacy brands under one banner. Today, Rontec stands as one of the UK’s largest independent forecourt operators — still driven by the same spirit of innovation that started it all.