How Larkspur Retail Group got charging live after a previous provider stalled for over a year
Retail
UK
Client
Larkspur Retail Group
Industry
Retail & hospitality
Location
Riverside, UK
Timeline
9 months
Chargers
12 ultra-fast
From an underused parking area to a charging hub running at 78% utilization within a year.
12 ultra-fast chargers delivered in 9 months, now running at 78% average utilization within the first year.
12
Chargers installed
9 mo
First visit to live
78%
Average utilization
A parking area with untapped potential
Riverside Retail Park had tried to add EV charging once before. A previous provider quoted an 18-month timeline for a basic grid connection upgrade, then stalled entirely once the true cost of the work became clear. Larkspur Retail Group was left with a site that had space for charging and clear customer demand, but no realistic path to delivering it.
The brief to Ampcore was specific: charging that would draw EV-driving customers into the park’s restaurants and shops, not just sit as a parking amenity nobody used.
The solution
We assessed the full parking area and identified the 12-bay zone closest to the park’s main entrances, maximizing visibility for both drivers and nearby retailers.
Lease terms were agreed directly with Larkspur Retail Group within the first month, structured around a revenue-share model tied to charging usage.
The project’s critical constraint. Our utility partnerships secured a dedicated grid connection the previous provider had quoted at 18 months, delivered in under 10 weeks.
The revenue from our charging bays now covers more than we expected from the lease uplift alone.
Sarah Kowalski
Operations Lead, Larkspur Retail Group
How we delivered it
Charger placement was designed around existing footfall patterns, prioritizing proximity to the park’s food and beverage tenants.
Ampcore took over day-one operations, including uptime monitoring and on-site maintenance, with no involvement required from Larkspur’s team.
The entire build was funded by Ampcore’s own capital, with Larkspur receiving revenue-share income from day one of operation.
The results
Since going live, Riverside Retail Park has maintained 78% average utilization, well above the regional average for retail-adjacent charging. Dwell-time spend at nearby retailers has increased measurably during charging sessions, and Larkspur Retail Group has since approached Ampcore about a second phase at a neighboring property.
Case studies
