Marks & Spencer has called a halt to its pilot of a Simply Food franchise at Jonathan James' site in Ely, Cambridgeshire. BP announced it had picked Witchford Road Service Station, of James Graven & Son, for the trial at its Dealer Convention in Oman in November.
The first ever Motor Oil Industry Cricket Tournament was held at Lord's, the home of cricket on Monday, June 22. In perfect conditions, three teams from the oil, petrol and forecourt industry battled it out and competition was fierce. John Lewis, Forecourt Trader's executive director put on a star performance, but the team led by independent oil industry consultant, Keith Guppy, was triumphant on the day.
Jonathan James has been forced to convert his two sites in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, to Spar following public outrage at the opening of a third Budgens store in the centre of the town.
Do you consider the arrival of two new fuel brands in the UK - FCL Petroleum and Solo - to be a positive development for the petrol retailing industry?
Gerald Ronson, the man who revolutionised the petrol retailing business in the '60s, has launched an autobiography entitled 'Leading from the Front - My Story. The founder and chief executive of Heron International, which operates the Snax 24 chain of service stations, is described as one of Britain's most successful businessmen, and one of the most hardworking and generous philanthropists in the UK.
Keeping the wheels of the UK economy turning while also meeting policies that aim to move the economy to a lower-carbon future remains a key challenge for the UK oil refining industry, said Janet Ashdown, president of the UK Petroleum Industry Association, as she launched the 2009 Statistical Review at the House of Commons last month.
Brobot Petroleum has confirmed Londis as its long-term retail partner. The northern-based family-owned business - which includes fuel distribution and 21 sites in the East Midlands and Yorkshire - is expecting to achieve in excess of £10 million sales a year as a result of the deal.
Pictured below is the new Shell Beaconsfield site on the M40 - which the oil company claims is the UK's biggest service station. With 36 forecourt pumps and six dedicated high-speed HGV pumps totalling 152 nozzles, the site in Buckinghamshire can serve several hundred customers an hour. It also has underground storage for 1.2m litres of fuel.
Spar is relaunching its own-label brand as it steps up its focus on customers and growing store sales. Spar UK's marketing director Susan Darbyshire, told around 800 delegates at the recent Blakemore Spar Retail Conference at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole that the company would use its own brand to create a point of difference between Spar and its competitors.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has confirmed the agenda for its Forecourt Seminar 2009. Speakers include Stewart Samuel, IGD, Tony Evans from Christie + Co, Carol Smith, Ashdene Service Station, Spencer Marshall and Richard Box, both from JTI, Chris Mitchener, Licensing Solutions, Nick Vandervell, UK Petroleum Industry
Sainsbury’s and Tesco have reported surging sales – with Sainsbury also revealing ambitious expansion plans. In its First Quarter Trading Statement for 12 weeks to 13 June 2009, Sainsbury’s said total sales for the first quarter were up 3.2 per cent (7.6 per cent excluding fuel). There was also continued growth in customer numbers – the supermarket reported having over 18.5 million transactions each week. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s said it aimed to raise approximately £445 million of capital to “accelerate growth plans” which included acquiring 15% more floor space by March 2011.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the government to give all backbenchers a free vote on whether to introduce a display ban on tobacco. The Association said its
With crime costing the UK retail industry more than £3.5m a year, cash management company Loomis has urged retailers to be more vigilant with security.
Chevron has proudly put a classic race car from the 70s back on the race track through its Texaco brand. According to the oil giant, Texaco was originally involved with the Group One and Group Two Ford Capris from 1973 to 1976
With the British Grand Prix just days away, ExxonMobil is teaming up with Brawn GP to supply its fuel and Mobil 1 lubricants for the 2009 FIA Formula One season.
Committed Budgens retailer Jonathan James has been forced to convert his two forecourt stores in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, to Spar following public outrage at the opening of a third Budgens store in the centre of the town.
Following a successful store trial, Brobot Petroleum, the forecourt retailer with 21 sites in the East Midlands and Yorkshire, has confirmed Londis as its long-term retail partner, which is expected to achieve annual turnover of more than
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called for Ofgem to go further in tackling ‘bullying’ practices adopted by some energy companies against retailers.
Total is claiming to be the first petrol retailer in the UK to offer its customers free breakdown cover, following the launch of its Total Assistance scheme last month. Launched on the basis that
Top 50 Indie Calanike Retail is rebranding nine BP sites to Esso, with two more sites - both Jet branded - following suit to Esso later in the year. Kenny Webster, managing director of Calanike, which has 19 sites, explained: "We are delighted to be joining forces
Customers at one of Shell's leading outlets in the East Midlands have been told it is now safe to use the forecourt after hundreds of people lost cash when their bank cards were cloned. Banks have been contacting motorists who used the Shell Trocadero forecourt, on
The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) has unveiled its website at www.bossuk.org. The new site aims to provide BOSS's police and petrol retail partners with a comprehensive information resource as well as informing visitors about the campaigning work that BOSS undertakes in order to
On Monday June 22 three teams representing the oil industry will take part in a cricket tournament at Lord's, the home of cricket. Manufacturers, retailers and suppliers will do battle on
Sherlodge Garage at Lordswood near Chatham in Kent has been rebranded as a Harvest Energy site, replacing Pace.It is the first of many planned re-brands for 2009, according to a spokesman for
Jet teamed up with Royal Windsor Racecourse to treat all Armed Forces and NHS staff to a free night at the races last month. "Hosting the six-race event was a way for Jet to demonstrate to service personnel how much they are valued within their local communities," said Patrick Hudson, Jet's marketing manager, retail.
Crime at Britain’s petrol service stations fell by eight per cent to £29.9 million in 2008, reversing a 13 per cent increase in estimated losses suffered by forecourt retailers in Britain during the previous year (2007) according to the latest forecourt crime statistics from BOSS – the British Oil Security Syndicate.
Following the publication by the Home Office of a draft code of practice on alcohol sales, ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores), representing 33,000 convenience stores that would be affected by the code, has urged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to think
Plant power is being harnessed to fuel a car for the National Farming Union's renewable energy chief, underlining the technical possibilities and importance of sustainable biofuels. The low-emissions Elsbett Audi A6 diesel will run on pure vegetable oil fuel produced by British rapeseed growers.
The Scottish Grocer's Federation has criticised the Government's timing following its announcement of the increase in the national minimum wage –up by 1.2% from October 1, 2009. It mens the the adult NMW rate will increase from £5.73 per hour to £5.80.
The convenience store market has rocketed in value to £29.1 billion in the last year, with fresh food and symbol group partnerships helping boost the forecourt sector. According to IGD’s Evolution of Convenience Retailing report, published this month, the figure
Stricter rules on drive-offs have come into force following a long campaign by the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS). The Home Office National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS)
Blackburn-based Euro Garages, number four in our Top 50 Indies list, has acquired three more sites taking its total to 75. The new acquisitions are a one-acre brownfield site on the Runcorn
Which Car? magazine is urging consumers to stop but not shop at motorway service stations. The magazine surveyed 51 sites and bought a selection of snacks (500ml still water, 250ml can of Red Bull, 215g bag of Jelly
Wholesale distributor Palmer & Harvey unveiled a new format for its flagship symbol offer, Mace – which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary – at last month's Pro-retail exhibition in Telford, Shropshire.
MP Greg Barker visited independent retailer Carol Smith at her forecourt in East Sussex to show support for a local business and discuss the pressure of rising costs in the economic downturn and the problem of crime.
The UK oil industry has exceeded the government's 2.5% volume target for biofuel content in road fuels (achieving 2.7%) in the first full year of the Renewable Transport Obligation (RTFO)
BP has appointed Amscreen, Sir Alan Sugar's new digital signage company, as its exclusive partner in a five-year contract. Initially Amscreen's close-proximity signage units will be installed
The Budget, with its increases on fuel, alcohol and tobacco will do nothing to help retailers, according to trade associations representing petrol and convenience retailers. James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) ) said the Chancellor’s failure to act to prevent tax rises will hurt local shops: “At a time when
Devon-based independent filling station and convenience store retailer Julian Holliss has raised £7,500 for the NSPCC following the completion of a number of endurance feats. He is pictured presenting the cheque to Carrie Cardale,
Forecourt operator Dolphin Retail has gone into liquidation. The company which had 22 sites in the UK, including petrol stations in Scotland and Yorkshire, blamed the move on the credit crunch.
BP is now offering its customers the chance to purchase a range of gift cards from leading retailers, following a deal with gift card programme provider Coinstar E-Payment Services Limited. The introduction of the programme to
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has called on the Scottish Parliament not to proceed with plans to ban the display of tobacco as proposed in the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill. In its submission to the
The Chancellor's 11th hour decision to back down over business rates is a step in the right direction but still not enough to help retailers, according to industry groups. Business rates were due to rise across the
An investigation by consumer website www.cleangreencars.co.uk has revealed potential dangers in buying a high-blend biodiesel called B30, which does not have the approval of many car manufacturers to use in their vehicles.
Gerald Ronson, chief executive of leading property group Heron International, and founder of Snax 24 predecessor Heron Service Stations, summed up the past few years of the property market with the words: "If it
Motor Fuel Group has opened a new BP Connect franchise site including a Wild Bean Café.The Crownwoods Connect forecourt in Eltham, South London, was built in 14 weeks at a cost of about £1m - it was previously a closed site owned
Sewell Retail has been named one of the best companies to work for in the country. The Top 50 Indie retailer was included in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Companies to Work for Top 100 –
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) is to continue as the representative body for independent forecourt operators. The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) today said that, following a full strategic review, it had been decided that the PRA would continue to be the voice of the industry. In a statement entitled "PRA – 2009 and beyond", the RMIF stated: "The role of the Petrol Retailers
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed Gordon Brown's refusal to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson had previously called upon the government to adopt the measure in a bid to tackle alcohol related harm. He suggested a 50p
The Automobile Association (AA) today met Treasury ministers to argue that next month's 2p rise in fuel duty should be scrapped. A spokesman for the AA said the planned 1.84p extra duty the government plans to introduce on April 1 would mean more hardship for motorists. With the VAT on top of extra
The latest figures from the Energy Institute's annual retail marketing survey, published this month, shows an increase in the number of petrol forecourts operating in the UK.
Most of the biggest petrol retailing independents still have their eye on expansion, despite the curent economic climate, according to the data gathered in our latest Top 50 Indies listing, published as a supplement within this
Customers queued for the opening of a £1.25m forecourt redevelopment in Gloucestershire last month. Millwood Motor Company's refurbished site in Cam includes a 150sq m Spar store, Shell petrol and a car wash.
Benny Cherian, a cashier at a Texaco site in Skippool, Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire, has a won a Mini for his efforts in promoting Texaco's loyalty card. As part of the launch of the brand's Star Rewards scheme, forecourt staff were encouraged to help customers sign up for a loyalty card. Twenty cashiers received £500 each, with Benny receiving the top prize of the car.
The UK's leading independent petrol retailer, MRH (GB), is looking to re-negotiate the supply contracts on half its forecourts - around 150 - which come up for renewal next year.
The recent snow was no problem for sign installation and maintenance firm Xmo Strata. The company's crews braved blizzard conditions across the country to help keep forecourts open for motorists.
For years many petrol stations have been infamous for their poor toilets - but not any more.Visitors to certain BP sites are in for a treat as new loo facilities include bright images of the
Having a clear vision of your customers and what they want, together with the flexibility to innovate, are the two keys to surviving the recession, says KPMG/Synovate Retail Think Tank's latest white paper.
Sixty five per cent of people are using less cash in a bid to control their spending, says a new report from ATM network operator Link. However the survey, conducted by YouGov, also found that 33% of people are using more cash. It found that for December and January, the total value of cash withdrawn
Gloucestershire MP David Drew is opening a new £1.25 million garage forecourt development at Cam, near Dursley, today. The new Shell forecourt and Spar convenience store will create new jobs, bringing the total number of people employed at the Millwood Motor Company to 25.
Following an extensive review of the company's UK fuel storage facilities, Chevron has taken the decision to return the management of Pembroke, Cardiff and Brighton terminals to full company control. The three terminals
BP has announced record annual profits of $21.2 billion (£14.7 billion) for 2008 despite the falling price of oil. The figure, announced today, compared to profits of $20.8 billion (£14.4 billion) for the oil giant in 2007.
The government has set a higher than expected target for the use of biofuels in UK vehicles for 2009-10. The 3.25% target is 0.5% more than recommended in the Gallagher Review. Meanwhile, the UK is to get a biofuels research centre - the £27m Sustainable Bioenergy Centre will have hubs at six universities.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the government's decision to withdraw plans to fine shop staff £80 for selling tobacco to under 18s - another measure proposed to be added to the Penalty Notice Disorder (PND). The on-the-spot-fine was due to come into force on 26 January, despite no communication or consultation with the retail trade. When the proposal was first muted last month ACS
Police are appealing for witnesses after three masked men raided a BP Snax 24 outlet on the A5 near Hinckley, Leicestershire last month. The cashier was hit across the face with a brick, bundled into an office and ordered to open a safe. He was hit with the brick after saying he had no keys for the safe. The gang took a till containing £395, and drove off in VW Beetle, with an 03 registration plate. The victim was so badly hurt that police were unable to interview him in hospital.
BP has named David Pitron as the new trading director for its UK Convenience Retail division. Pitron succeeds Andy Davis, who recently took on the full
Retail property values fell by an average of just 6.48 per cent in 2008 – highlighting the resilience of the sector compared to others in the UK economy.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has held a meeting with Ian Pearson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, to ask for support for the
UKPIA has teamed up with other industry groups to create a new safety forum in a bid to prevent future incidents like the Buncefield fire. According to UKPIA, the pan sector Process Safety Forum has been set up to provide a platform “whereby initiatives,
The government is planning to introduce fixed penalty fines for drive-offs at petrol stations. The proposal, which would mean an on-the-spot-fine of £80 for offenders, is part of a new raft of extra powers proposed to be added to the controversial fixed penalty fines. Others include being caught with
The Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) has moved to allay retailer concerns about its future direction, amid widespread rumours that its days were numbered, and that director Ray Holloway had quit. Retailers have been withholding their membership fees as
Retailer Jonathan James has got the green light to build a new site following a three year battle with the local planning authorities in Cambridgeshire. Jonathan, who estimates the fight has cost him about £70,000 in legal fees and numerous reports and studies, received the news that the site could go ahead after councillors at East
Reacting to yesterday's Government announcement proposing banning the display of tobacco products in England and Wales, Imperial Tobacco has re-iterated its view that the proposals are anti-competitive; undermine the principle of adult choice; create a huge work and cost burden for retailers; and will further fuel the illicit trade in tobacco products.
Following a roller coaster year, the petrol retailing sector is trying to look for the positives as 2009 gets under way. Retailer Jonathan James, of James Graven & Sons, said he was feeling more confident than a few months ago, and this was largely due to
BP is back at the International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment (IFFE) Show for 2009. The oil giant is expected to showcase its Connect Wild Bean Café franchise
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is holding its Summit '09 in Birmingham on April 30th. Guest speakers at the association's flagship event include David Smith, CEO of research company Global Futures and Foresight. An expert panel will also discuss future predictions for the industry.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has hit out at the government’s decision to increase business rates in April 2009 by 5%. The ACS said the government wrote to Billing Authorities earlier this month informing them of the rise. The rise was calculated on September’s Retail Price Index (RPI) rate, at the height of the market, which has since
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the first independent cash ATM being installed in the UK. The cash machine was installed by Bank Machine in a Spar store in Birmingham, creating a market that it says has been one of the fastest growing of the last decade.
ExxonMobil is set to invest more than $1 billion in three refineries to boost supply of cleaner burning diesel by about six million gallons per day. ExxonMobil Refining and Supply will construct new units and modify existing facilities at its refineries in Baton Rouge
APEA, the conference, exhibition and awards event run by the Association for Petroleum & Explosives Administration, is moving to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry for 2009. Next year’s event will be held on October 15th at the Jaguar Exhibition Hall, which the group says offers more than 3,000 square
The government is to ban the open display of tobacco in shops in England and Wales. Health secretary Alan Johnson said this morning that the big supermarkets would have to implement the ban first. There will also be steps put in place to prevent underage access to vending machines.
Morrisons has slashed the price of a litre of diesel to under £1 a litre. The supermarket was the first to announce the price drop, effective from today, which will see diesel sold for 99.9p a
Former Forecourt Trader of the Year winner Jonathan James is to be the first independent retailer to pilot the Marks & Spencer Simply Food franchise. The trial
Chevron Corporation may sell some refineries and parts of its fuel businesses, according to John Watson, the company's executive vice president of strategy and development. He is
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the publication of a revised Tackling Tobacco Smuggling Strategy which outlines the reorganisation of enforcement against smugglers between the UK Border Agency and HMRC. But it warned there was a need for significant new funding and targets to reduce the market share of illegal tobacco.
Visitors to the International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment (IFFE) show 2009, which is being held at the Birmingham NEC from March 1-3, will get to see Gulf's Le
Forecourt and convenience retailers came out in force last month to attend the inaugural Heart of the Community Seminar organised by the Association of
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is among the industry groups which today criticised the chancellor’s Pre-Budget report for not going far enough to help retailers. Shane Brennan, ACS public affairs director, said: “The chancellor has made some dramatic changes to the tax environment for businesses. We welcome a number of the
Alistair Darling has cut VAT from 17.5% to 15% as part of his pre-Budget report designed to boost the economy. The chancellor said the tax cut would start on Monday and last for 13 months. However, he added that duty on petrol,
Asda has kicked off a new price war by slashing fuel prices – and claiming motorists are being “ripped off” at the pumps. The supermarket announced yesterday that it was lowering the cost of a litre of unleaded to 90.9p, its 10th
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the chancellor to take immediate and decisive action to postpone increases in business rates planned for next year.
Gulf Retail has signed five more sites around the country to add to its stable of dealers. The forecourts, all independents run by different owners, have recently opened under Gulf or are
Turtle Wax is moving into the car wash branding business – and targeting independent petrol retailers. The car care company says the move is part of its strategy to expand distribution for its Professional range of products which are aimed at businesses operating car
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) has called on the government to work with the industry to help revive the economy. Speaking at last week’s RMIF Parliamentary Dinner 2008, Paul
Richard Harding has been named as BP's new UK Convenience Retail director. He succeeds Karen Hubbard and will take up his new post on December 1. Harding, who has been with BP for 20 years,
As a show of strength by dealers helped put BP's deal with Arval back on the table, should retailers come together more often to fight their corner on key issues affecting their businesses?
As a show of strength by dealers helped put BP's deal with Arval back on the table, should retailers come together more often to fight their corner on key issues affecting their businesses?
Independent dealers have been left between a rock and a hard place following the speed at which fuel prices have fallen in the past month. Some also feel there is no one to defend their position to the public - particularly following prime minister Gordon Brown's call for forecourts to bring down fuel prices in line with the fall in the price of crude or risk an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading.
The Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) has criticised the media for being obsessed with the price of fuel, and said that it is doing all it can to defend independent retailers.
The Car Wash Association (CWA) is calling on retailers to contact their local MP as part of a new co-ordinated letter campaign to tackle unregulated car wash operations. The group wants to
GNE Group has announced that it is keen to buy more forecourts in the UK. The company, which recently announced the completion of the sale of Petrol Express Limited for £51.66m, said it wanted to buy petrol retailing sites and/or make
Lorna McLaughlin of the Vivo forecourt store in Mountsandel, Coleraine in Northern Ireland was the overall winner of the Sales Assistant of the Year awards run by Forecourt Trader's sister
Independent dealers have been left between a rock and a hard place following the speed at which fuel prices have fallen in the past month. Some also feel there is no one to defend their position to the public - particularly following prime minister Gordon Brown's call for forecourts to bring down fuel prices in line with the fall in the price of
The Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) has criticised the media for being obsessed with the price of fuel, and said that it is doing all it can to defend independent retailers. PRA director Ray Holloway rejected comments that the organisation was not doing enough to be a voice for independents on this issue.
The Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) has criticised the media for being obsessed with the price of fuel, and said that it is doing all it can to defend independent retailers. PRA director Ray Holloway rejected comments that the organisation was not doing enough to be
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has rejected calls for a Code of Practice for alcohol retailers. Instead it has called for more guidance for local authorities and enforcement agencies to help them use the powers already available to them.
Police are hunting a three-man masked gang, which is targeting filling stations in the Lincolnshire area in a series of night-time raids. So far, the haul has always been cigarettes and the getaway vehicle a Land Rover. The robberies have occurred when the forecourts are closed, and have all been caught on
Total rewarded employees at an award-winning site by giving them the day off and getting head office staff to run the forecourt instead. The Pin Green forecourt in Stevenage fought off competition from 249 other stores to receive Total's Best Premier Store Award 2008.
The Petrol Retailers' Association (PRA) has called for the government to put a freeze on fuel duty to cut prices on the forecourt. PRA director Ray Holloway said Gordon Brown could reduce fuel prices though a fuel tax reduction but was avoiding taking action.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the government to take the lead and instate a Grocery Ombudsman, as recommended by the Competition Commission’s investigation into the Grocery Market.
GreatGas Petroleum has added four forecourts to its network in Ireland. The contracts, said to be worth in excess of 10 million euros, mean the Irish owned independent fuel supplier has signed 10 new forecourts in the past six months.
BP is making good progress in its drive to improve performance, chief executive Tony Hayward said today as the company announced underlying profits for the third quarter of 2008 of $8.9 billion, excluding non-operating items and fair value accounting effects.
THE issue of wholesale fuel prices in Orkney is to be taken to the Office of Fair Trading, according to a story in the island's local newspaper Orkney Today. The report said the situation had been
Gordon Brown’s call for forecourts to cut fuel prices at the pumps in line with the fall in the price of crude oil or risk an Office of Fair Trading investigation is too simplistic according to the Forecourt Division of the Federation of Petroleum
The Transport Minister Andrew Adonis has announced plans to revise the government’s biofuels targets while ploughing more money into research in the area.
Retailer pressure was behind BP's resumption of talks with card giant Arval, according to PRA director Ray Holloway. Having been told in August that BP had decided to discontinue its Arval connection due to escalating costs,
A new association has been formed to represent those working in the car wash industry. The Car Wash Association (CWA) wants to recruit more members to help work for best practice in the
The M&S Simply Food brand could soon be seen on independent BP forecourt sites around the country, if a franchise pilot - to be launched in the new year - proves successful.
Automatic shutdown systems to prevent overfill at fuel storage terminals have been announced by UKPIA and the Tank Storage Association, as part of the ongoing process to improve safety at major fuel storage terminals following the disaster at the Buncefield oil terminal in December 2005.
Five oil companies have so far signed up to exhibit at next year's International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment Show (IFFE), which will take place at the Birmingham NEC from March 1-3, 2009.
Three fraudsters operating an international credit card scam via petrol stations have been jailed. They used a Leicester warehouse to store footage, from covert cameras, of PIN numbers being inputted into pads at garages across the country.
GNE Group plc has entered into a conditional share purchase to dispose of its main operating subsidiary, Petrol Express, to Leopard No. 2 Investments for £51.66m. For full details log onto [http://www.forecourttrader.co.uk]
With fuel volumes down, Arval cards under threat, and question marks over tobacco and alcohol, how concerned are you about the health of your business over the next 12 months?
Philip and Lesley Tout of Budgens Nailsea in Bristol were the Forecourt Trader of the Year winners last night at a glittering awards ceremony at the London Hilton Hotel, Park Lane. The evening was hosted by Shaun Williamson of Eastenders fame, and featured a James Bond theme with a lookalike Jaws, gold-painted girls and a 'Casino Royale' complementing a great line-up of entertainment. It was attended by nearly 700 guests from the petrol retailing industry.
BP will continue to accept Arval fuel cards at its petrol stations. The oil company had previously stated it was terminating its contract with Arval at the end of next month due to escalating costs. It had told dealers they were free to continue accepting Arval business but would have to foot the bill themselves and deal with Arval directly.
GNE Group plc has entered into a conditional share purchase agreement to dispose of its main operating subsidiary, Petrol Express Limited (PEX), operating under the brand name Petrol Express, to Leopard No. 2 Investments Limited for £51.66 million. The deal is subject to the purchaser assuming
As BP prepares to sever all ties with Arval, the issue of card payments has been hitting the headlines. BP wrote to its dealers last month saying it was ending its agreement with the fuel card company due to soaring costs. And while many retailers seemed to agree that Arval had been too greedy, they remain worried about losing this part of their business.
Murco Petroleum has moved into the Scottish market for the first time by buying seven sites from group dealer Brownwight & Wall. The Jet-branded sites are all west of Edinburgh in the West Lothian and Falkirk areas and Murco said it is on the lookout for "further network growth opportunities throughout the UK".
Marks and Spencer is opening its 100th Simply Food store on a BP Connect site this month. The Towcester North Simply Food at BP Connect on the A43 will open for business on September 10.
