ESSO TESCO HARPENDEN EXPRESS

I'm there most weeks as its my local, mini supermarket. There are times when things get busy at the pumps, but that because people are shopping in addition to filling up. Overall they have most of the things we could need or want. Staff are nice too.

Ah my local saviour. Whether it's freshly baked croissants, a strong shot of coffee, or a cheeky meal for two needed in a rush, I can rely on Batford Tesco. Seriously though, it's well stocked, and everyone that works there is friendly and helpful.

Regular Tesco express. Few spots for parking. ATM.

As one of the first Esso and Tesco combined outlets this allowed tesco to get a foothold into the lucrative Harpenden market at a time when they were expanding rapidly and meeting resistance form all quarters. As a format the fuel and shop works well, however the limited space on the forcourt causes those simply purchasing fuel frustrating delays. You can imagine how your blood will boil if you are in a hurry and need a quick 'splash and dash'....and yet your stuck staring at the back of a Honda Jazz whilst one of Harpenden's 'lifers' is ambling round the Tesco at a not express pace. If the site was larger there would be less of these issues. We can only curse the original builders of the Leaside Service Station for not having the foresight to envision flocks of Discovery 3's 'popping' in on the way back from doing the horses and absorbing all the available space. Practically, petrol was requested by inserting the nozel into the petrol filler and once the grip was squeezed, liquid was dispensed until the required amount was obtained on the pump display. Payment was duly made and departure undertaken. This could not be faulted, save for the return of the little lever in the trigger that used to let you relax your grip. I curse people born after 1990 for causing the demise of this! The petrol continued to be useful and did not disapear or become un-useable in the time it was in the tank of the vehicle. All in all, a good petrol station with a Tesco express bolted on.

Reasonable petrol price, good small tesco store and cash point outside.