Mr. Peanut, face-painting and the chance to win big prizes with the spin of a wheel were all the order of the day at the grand opening of the newly renovated Terceira’s North Shore Service Station in Smith’s.

Ralph Terceira and Shell Bermuda’s Oil Products Manager, David Rose performed the traditional ribbon cutting and in this way cemented a partnership which has been in existence since the 1960s.

This partnership between the Shell Group of Companies and the Terceira’s family began when Ralph Terceira’s father Malcolm agreed to sell part of the family property to Shell if they could get permission to build a gas station there.

Mr. Rose elaborates: “The station opened in 1969 and was the last station opened as part of our network in Bermuda. The first Shell station was of course opened in the 1950s.”

He says the partnership between Shell and the Terceira’s family has been more than just a supplier/customer relationship.

“It’s like all our partnerships with our dealers, not only are they first class, but they have been mutually beneficial to both parties,” he adds.

Referring to the service bays and towing service operated by Malcolm Terceira in the 1960s (now operated by HWP), Mr. Rose points out how things have changed over the years: “Service stations years ago had a garage element, compared to today where that part of it has disappeared. And that is why TCD is still involved in giving approval for a station to operate.”

As for the renovations to the North Shell premises, Mr. Rose says it has now been totally modernised: “We have increased the size of the shop and later this summer we will be offering a food service in the form of a take-out facility. I think customers will really appreciate the improvements and what the station now has on offer.”

As for the actual fuel court, Mr. Rose describes it as “up to speed” in regards to environmental protection and state-of the art equipment. “Overall, the site needed an upgrade and the finished product is not only very pleasing, but we are also able to increase the services to our customers.”