Looking Back: Slade End 1995

Continuing our look back at the history of the company, we delve into the past of our Petrol Station at Slade End Chatteris.

An article published on 9th March 1995, in the ‘Esso Update’ tells of ‘A new Esso service station bringing modern motoring facilities and convenience shopping to a small Cambridgeshire town.’

The article goes on to exand upon the fact that James Graven & Sons has been in Chatteris since the 1960’s at our West Park Street store.

Tim Graven, the then managing director, was quoted as saying; “I still do good business at my original site, but it’s old and there’s no room for modernisation or expansion.”

So when the local council began talking about a bypass for Chatteris, Tim saw the opportunity to open a second site, with full facilities and a shop, on the outskirts of town.

Tims Plan for the new site, made jointly with Esso, began in 1991.  After three years of patient discussions with the local council, careful negotiations for land and lengthy development of the site, Tim eventually opened Slade End for business in March 1994.

Pictured above is Tim in front of the then Esso, now of course BP/Spar and the cashier in red, is our own Pam Smith, who retired in November last year.