Mayor of Guildford joins bp Merrow reopening, celebrating new M&S bakery offer and refreshed store design
- bp's Merrow retail site in Guildford has reopened with a brighter, community-focused design after a full refresh
- The store offers faster, more seamless shopping with self-checkouts where customers can pay for fuel and goods in one transaction
- Customers can also enjoy freshly baked goods from a new M&S bakery, plus a new gift zone and expanded food range
bp’s Merrow retail site in Guildford has reopened its doors following a full upgrade, offering a refreshed layout, broader product range and a more convenient shopping experience. Designed around the needs of the local community, bp Merrow makes it easier and more enjoyable for customers to top up on everyday essentials.
The reopening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Howard Smith and bp’s Jo Hayward, vice president mobility & convenience retail UK, adding a celebratory touch to the occasion.
A key highlight is the brand-new M&S bakery – a forecourt first – featuring freshly baked sourdough, farmhouse loaves, rolls, pretzels and pizzettas. The redesigned store is for customers who are buying food for later – with an extended M&S food range plus fresh food and frozen food from other leading brands.
wildbean cafe continues to serve freshly baked croissants, pastries, cookies and doughnuts, alongside hot food favourites like sausage rolls, ciabattas and bacon & cheese turnovers. Customers will be able conveniently grab a coffee from a new self-serve machine.
The store also includes a dedicated gifting section, ideal for picking up last-minute presents. Customers will find bouquets, potted plants, boxed chocolates, cards, wrapping paper and a wide selection of wine and fizz.
A standout feature is the new self-checkout system, allowing customers to pay for fuel and shop items in one seamless transaction – making visits faster and more convenient.
The upgraded store also complements the EV charging bays installed at the site. It’s a strong example of bp’s evolving approach to providing integrated locations that serve both EV drivers and traditional fuel customers - creating efficient, customer-centric sites that meet the needs of every journey.
Merrow is one of four bp retail sites – alongside Pinkham Way, Budbrooke and Poppleton – trialling new convenience formats shaped by local customer insights and feedback. The aim is to create stores that reflect what communities want, blending bp’s trusted brands and partnerships with fresh design thinking. If successful, more store refreshes are planned for 2026, bringing these customer-led formats to even more locations nationwide.
Jo Hayward, bp vice president mobility & convenience retail UK, said: “We’re really excited to be reopening four of our sites – and they’ve been shaped entirely by what local customers have told us they want. This is just the start – we’ll keep listening, learning and trying new ideas to ensure we are the first choice for our customers on the roadside.”
Dan Whiteman, bp Merrow store manager added “Our team has been so excited to reopen Merrow and seeing our customers’ reactions. The refreshed store feels bright and modern, with freshly baked M&S bread, great food for later and quicker ways to shop. We hope our regulars love it as much as we do.”
Further information:
bp press office London | bppress@bp.com
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